BP 2006 e

Budget_Plan_ENGLISH 4/30/06 10:38 PM Page 1
Supplementary Information and

Notices of Ways and Means Motions Included
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Cat. No.: F1-23/2006-3E

ISBN 0-660-19629-8
Table of Contents
1 Introduction and Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2 Economic Developments and Prospects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
External Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Canadian Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Risks to the Economic Outlook .......................... 38
3 Building a Better Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Accountability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Core Priority: Federal Accountability Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Improving Fiscal Transparency and
Financial Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Opportunity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Core Priority: Tax Relief for All Canadians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Looking Forward: A More Competitive,
Productive Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
3
Families and Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Core Priority: Protecting Canadian Families
and Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Securing Canada’s Borders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Defence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Security and the Financial System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
International Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Immediate Action to Restore Fiscal Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
4 Fiscal Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Fiscal Outlook Before the Measures Proposed
in the 2006 Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Fiscal Outlook Including Impact of
Budget Measures on the Budgetary Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Summary Statement of Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Outlook for Budgetary Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Outlook for Program Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Financial Source/Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Risks to the Fiscal Projection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
4
Annexes
1 Canada’s Financial Performance in an International Context . . . 183
2 The Government’s Response to the Auditor General’s
Observations on the 2004–2005 Financial Statements . . . . . . . 191
3 Tax Measures: Supplementary Information
and Notices of Ways and Means Motions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
5
1
INTRODUCTION
AND OVERVIEW
Introduction and Overview
Budget 2006—Focusing on Priorities
Introduction
Budget 2006 is about focusing on priorities. It delivers real results
for people in a focused and fiscally responsible way.
As the measures outlined in this plan make clear, this budget

makes federal spending more transparent, accountable and
disciplined, while creating greater opportunity for Canadians,
investing in our families and communities, and making our streets
safer and our borders more secure.
It also delivers more tax relief than the last four federal budgets
combined—putting more than twice as much into tax relief than
new spending.
Budget 2006 also provides a framework for discussion to restore

fiscal balance in Canada, based on fundamental principles all
Canadians can support.
By addressing clear priorities in accountability, opportunity,

families and communities, and security—while laying the foundation
for budgets to come—Budget 2006 charts a new course for building
a better Canada.
9
The Budget Plan 2006
Highlights
Economic Developments and Prospects

The Canadian economy recorded solid growth in 2005, largely
supported by healthy increases in final domestic demand.
Looking ahead, forecasters expect slightly stronger near-term
growth than estimated at the time of the November 2005
Economic and Fiscal Update.
Private sector forecasters have raised their forecasts for gross
domestic product (GDP) inflation in 2006, largely because of
unexpectedly strong growth in commodity prices in late 2005.
As a result, the forecast level of nominal GDP in 2006 and 2007
is now over $20 billion higher than projected at the time of
the Update.
The risks to the Canadian economic outlook remain largely
external, and include uncertainty about commodity prices, the
risk of a sudden correction in U.S. house prices, and the risk
that the Canadian dollar may appreciate further in response to
adjustments to global imbalances.
10
Building a Better Canada

Accountability
A core priority of the Government is to improve the accountability
and transparency of government operations to Canadians. The
Federal Accountability Action Plan, released on April 11, introduced
a wide-ranging set of reforms, including establishing the position
of a Parliamentary Budget Officer and a commitment to provide
quarterly updates of the fiscal outlook for the current fiscal year.
Budget 2006 announces a more transparent framework for budget

planning, consisting of the following elements:
The Government will make decisions in the budget over a
two-year planning horizon. Measures will be introduced when
they are affordable and ready to be implemented.
The Government will restrain the rate of spending growth.
The Government will introduce a new approach to managing
overall spending to ensure that government programs focus
on results and value for money, and are consistent with
government priorities and responsibilities. The President of the
Treasury Board will identify savings of $1 billion in 2006–07
and 2007–08.
The Government will plan on reducing the federal debt by
$3 billion annually. The Government is advancing by one year,
to 2013–14, the goal of lowering the debt-to-GDP ratio to
25 per cent.
The Government will examine the possibility of allocating a
portion of any surplus at year-end larger than $3 billion to the
Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan, in order to
make them more equitable for young Canadians and improve
economic competitiveness.
Financial reporting will be improved, in keeping with
recommendations from the Auditor General of Canada.
11
Opportunity
This budget proposes comprehensive tax relief for individuals,
valued at almost $20 billion over the next two years—more than
the last four budgets combined.
– As a result, about 655,000 low-income Canadians will be
removed from the tax rolls altogether.
Overall, this budget delivers more than twice as much tax relief
as new spending.
The goods and services tax (GST) will be reduced by
1 percentage point as of July 1, 2006.
In addition to reducing the GST, Budget 2006 proposes to
reduce personal income taxes for all taxpayers through:
– The new Canada Employment Credit—a tax credit on
employment income of up to $500, effective July 1, 2006, to
help working Canadians. The eligible amount will double to
$1,000 as of January 1, 2007.
– A permanent legislated reduction in the lowest tax rate to
15.5 per cent from 16 per cent as of July 1, 2006. The budget
also confirms that the lowest tax rate will be 15 per cent from
January 1, 2005 until June 30, 2006.
– Increases in the basic personal amount—the amount that all
Canadians can earn without paying federal income tax—above
its currently legislated level for 2005, 2006 and 2007.
– As a result of these personal income tax and GST reductions,
families earning between $15,000 and $30,000 a year will be
better off by almost $300 in 2007. Families earning between
$45,000 and $60,000 will save almost $650.
12
To create an environment for jobs and growth, Budget 2006

proposes to make Canada’s tax system more internationally
competitive by:
– Reducing the general corporate income tax rate to 19 per cent
from 21 per cent by 2010.
– Eliminating the corporate surtax for all corporations as of
January 1, 2008.
– Eliminating the federal capital tax as of January 1, 2006,
two years ahead of schedule.
To support the growth of small business, Budget 2006
proposes to:
– Increase the amount of small business income eligible for
the 12-per-cent tax rate to $400,000 from $300,000 as of
January 1, 2007.
– Reduce the 12-per-cent tax rate applying to qualifying small
business income to 11.5 per cent in 2008 and 11 per cent
in 2009.
Budget 2006 takes action in support of a more skilled and
educated workforce by proposing:
– A new tax credit of up to $2,000 for employers who hire
apprentices.
– A new $1,000 grant for first- and second-year apprentices.
– A new $500 tax deduction for tradespeople for costs in excess
of $1,000 for tools they must acquire as a condition of
employment. Also, the $200 limit on the cost of tools eligible
for the 100-per-cent capital cost allowance will be increased
to $500.
– A new tax credit for the cost of textbooks, which will provide
a tax reduction of about $80 per year for a typical full-time
post-secondary student.
– The elimination of the current $3,000 limit on the amount of
scholarship, bursary and fellowship income a post-secondary
student can receive without paying federal income tax.
– Confirming up to $1 billion to provinces and territories to
support urgent investments in post-secondary education
infrastructure.
13
– Expanded eligibility for Canada Student Loans through a

reduction in the expected parental contribution, starting in
August 2007.
Budget 2006 affirms this government’s strong commitment to
agriculture by providing an additional $2 billion over two years
to the farming sector.
– $1.5 billion will be provided this year. This includes
$500 million for farm support, plus a one-time investment of
$1 billion to assist farmers in the transition to more effective
programming for farm income stabilization and disaster relief.
Budget 2006 provides $400 million over two years to combat
the pine beetle infestation, strengthen the long-term
competitiveness of the forestry sector and support
worker adjustment.
Looking forward, the Government will develop a broad-based
agenda to promote a more competitive, productive Canada.
14
Families and Communities

Budget 2006 provides $5.2 billion over two years in increased
support for Canadians and their families.
Canada’s Universal Child Care Plan

$3.7 billion over two years for the Universal Child Care Benefit
(UCCB), which will provide all families with $100 per month
for each child under age 6. The UCCB will not affect federal
income-tested benefits and will be provided as of July 1, 2006.
$250 million to support the creation of new child care spaces.
The goal is to create 25,000 additional spaces each year.
Other Family Measures

A children’s fitness tax credit for up to $500 in eligible fees
for physical fitness programs for each child under age 16.
Assistance for persons with disabilities will be enhanced by:
– Increasing the maximum annual Child Disability Benefit
(CDB) to $2,300 from $2,044, effective July 2006.
– Extending eligibility for the CDB to middle- and higher-
income families caring for a child who is eligible for the
disability tax credit, effective July 2006.
– Boosting the maximum amount of the refundable medical
expense supplement to $1,000 from $767, effective 2006.
$52 million per year for the Canadian Strategy for
Cancer Control.
Increasing to $2,000 the maximum amount eligible for the
pension income credit, effective 2006. This will benefit nearly
2.7 million taxpayers with pension income and will remove
approximately 85,000 pensioners from the tax rolls.
15
Budget 2006 provides almost $3 billion over two years to help

make our communities better places to live.
Immigration Measures
Reducing the Right of Permanent Residence Fee from $975 to
$490, effective immediately.
Increasing immigration settlement funding by $307 million and
taking steps towards the establishment of a Canadian agency for
the assessment and recognition of foreign credentials.
Affordable Housing
Confirming up to $800 million to provinces and territories to
address immediate pressures in affordable housing.
Aboriginal Communities
$450 million for improving water supply and housing on reserve,
education outcomes, and socio-economic conditions for
Aboriginal women, children and families.
Confirming up to $300 million to provinces to address immediate
pressures in off-reserve Aboriginal housing, and up to
$300 million to territories for affordable housing in the North.
Environment
A tax credit for the purchase of monthly public transit passes,
effective July 1, 2006.
Accelerating the capital cost allowance for forestry bioenergy.
Infrastructure
$5.5 billion over four years for a new Highways and Border
Infrastructure Fund, Canada’s Pacific Gateway Initiative, the
Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Municipal Rural
Infrastructure Fund and a Public Transit Capital Trust.
16
Other Measures
Exempting donations of publicly listed securities to public
charities from capital gains tax, effective immediately.
Exempting donations of ecologically sensitive land made
under the Ecogift program from capital gains tax, also
effective immediately.
$50 million to the Canada Council for the Arts.
Providing temporary solvency funding relief to help re-establish
full funding of federally regulated defined benefit pension
plans in an orderly fashion, with safeguards for promised
pension benefits.
17
Security
Budget 2006 provides $1.4 billion over two years to protect
Canadian families and communities, to secure our borders and
to increase our preparedness to address public health threats.
Over the same period, this budget provides $73 million to better
secure our financial system. The Government is also committed to
strengthening Canada’s role in the world by investing an additional
$1.1 billion over two years in Canada’s armed forces and by working
to ensure the effectiveness of international assistance.
Cracking Down on Crime

$161 million for 1,000 more RCMP officers and federal
prosecutors to focus on such law-enforcement priorities as drugs,
corruption and border security (including gun smuggling).
$37 million for the RCMP to expand its National Training
Academy (Depot) to accommodate these new officers and build
the capacity to train more officers in the future.
Set aside funds to expand Canada’s correctional facilities to
house the expected increase in inmates as a result of changes
in sentencing rules.
$20 million for communities to prevent youth crime with a focus
on guns, gangs and drugs.
$26 million to give victims a more effective voice in the federal
corrections and justice system, and to give victims greater access
to services (such as travel to appear at parole hearings).
Securing Safe and Open Borders

$101 million to begin arming border officers and eliminating
“work-alone” posts.
$303 million to implement a border strategy to promote the
movement of low-risk trade and travellers within North America
while protecting Canadians from security threats.
18
Preparing for Emergencies

$460 million ($1 billion over five years) to further improve
Canada’s pandemic preparedness.
$19 million per year to Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness Canada to enhance our capacity to deal with
catastrophes and emergencies.
Transportation Security
$133 million to support Canadian Air Transport Security
Authority operations.
$95 million for new measures to enhance the security
of passenger rail and urban transit.
Strengthening Canada’s Role in the World

$1.1 billion ($5.3 billion over five years) to strengthen
the Canadian Forces’ capacity to defend our national sovereignty
and security.
Up to $320 million in 2005–06 to fight polio, tuberculosis,
malaria and HIV/AIDS and to help low-income countries cope
with natural disasters or sharp rises in commodity prices.
Enhancing Security in the Financial System

$64 million to enhance Canada’s anti-money laundering and
anti-terrorist financing regime.
$9 million to fund integrated enforcement teams to combat
currency counterfeiting.
19
Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada

In Budget 2006, the Government is committing to take immediate
action to restore fiscal balance. This government will address
concerns over fiscal imbalance through:
Implementation of the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care.
A Patient Wait Times Guarantee for medically necessary services,
developed with provincial and territorial governments.
Certainty for equalization and Territorial Formula Financing
payments for 2006–07 through reliance on more current
economic and fiscal data, as well as one-time adjustments of
$255.4 million to offset declines.
Additional funding of up to $3.3 billion for provinces and
territories to help address immediate pressures in post-secondary
education, affordable housing (including Northern and off-
reserve Aboriginal housing) and public transit, contingent on
sufficient funds being available from the 2005–06 surplus.
A commitment to work with provinces and territories toward
a common securities regulator.
The Government is also committing to further action over the
next year, working toward more open, transparent and collaborative
fiscal relations in Canada. It proposes:
A principle-based framework on fiscal arrangements, outlined
in the companion document Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada,
which will lead to:
– A new approach for allocating unplanned federal surpluses.
– Renewed, transparent and principle-based Equalization and
Territorial Formula Financing programs.
– A new approach to long-term and predictable support for
post-secondary education and training.
– A new framework for long-term funding support for
infrastructure programs.
The Government is looking forward to a rich dialogue on fiscal
relations, engaging Canadians, provincial and territorial
governments, academics and experts, concluding with further action
to improve fiscal relations in Canada.
20
Fiscal Outlook
For 2005–06, the federal surplus is currently estimated at
$8 billion, based on monthly financial information through
February 2006. The final result will reflect developments in
March and year-end accrual adjustments.
Starting this fiscal year, the Government is planning on achieving
annual debt reduction of $3 billion.
The Government is directing higher than expected surpluses over
the planning period to the priorities of Canadians, largely to
reducing taxes. As a result, revenues as a share of gross domestic
product (GDP) are projected to decline from 16.4 per cent in
2004–05 to 15.5 per cent in 2007–08.
The Government is committed to reducing growth in spending
to a rate that is sustainable. Program expenses as a share of GDP
are projected to decline from 13.7 per cent in 2004–05 to
13.0 per cent in 2007–08.
The debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to fall to 31.7 per cent by
2007–08, on track to meet the new medium-term objective of
reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio to 25 per cent by 2013–14.
21
Table 1.1
Summary Statement of Transactions
(Including May 2006 Budget Measures)
Actual1 Estimate Projection
2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
(billions of dollars)
Budgetary revenues 211.9 220.9 227.1 235.8

Program expenses 176.3 179.2 188.8 196.5
Public debt charges 34.1 33.7 34.8 34.8
Total expenses 210.5 212.9 223.6 231.4
Planned debt reduction 1.5 8.0 3.0 3.0
Remaining surplus 0.6 1.4
Federal debt 494.4 486.4 483.4 480.4

Per cent of GDP
Total expenses 16.3 15.6 15.4 15.2
Debt reduction 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.2
Federal debt 38.3 35.5 33.3 31.7
Nominal GDP (billions of dollars,
calendar year) 1,290 1,369 1,451 1,517
Note: Totals may not add due to rounding.
1 Revised to reflect the impact of consolidating foundations.
22
Table 1.2
Budget 2006 New Initiatives
2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 Total
(millions of dollars)
Accountability 57 60 117
Opportunity
Reducing the GST rate to 6 per cent 3,520 5,170 8,690
Other tax relief for all Canadians 4,965 3,640 3,685 12,290
Creating jobs and growing
Canada’s economy 1,405 735 2,140
Promoting education, training and research 575 665 1,240
Support for opportunity in primary
economic sectors 755 1,700 700 3,155
Other actions to support opportunity 3 3 6
Subtotal 5,720 10,843 10,958 27,521
Families and communities

Families
Canada’s Universal Child Care Plan 1,610 2,335 3,945
Other family measures 632 672 1,304
Subtotal 2,242 3,007 5,249
Communities
Immigration measures 251 298 549
Aboriginal communities 150 300 450
Environment 160 240 400
Infrastructure 464 925 1,389
Other community measures 75 85 160
Subtotal 1,100 1,848 2,948
Subtotal 3,342 4,855 8,197
Security
Protecting Canadian families
and communities 193 331 524
Securing our borders 188 216 404
Defence 401 725 1,126
Pandemic preparedness 170 290 460
Financial security 40 33 73
Subtotal 992 1,596 2,588
Equalization and Territorial

Formula Financing 255 255
Expenditure reallocations (1,200) (2,420) (3,620)
Total net budget 2006 initiatives 5,720 14,290 15,049 35,058

Note: This table does not include initiatives announced before the November 2005 Economic and
Fiscal Update and confirmed by the Government.
23
2
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS
AND PROSPECTS
Highlights
The Canadian economy recorded solid growth in 2005, largely
supported by healthy increases in final domestic demand.
Looking ahead, forecasters expect slightly stronger near-term
growth than estimated at the time of the November 2005
Economic and Fiscal Update.
Private sector forecasters have raised their forecasts for gross
domestic product (GDP) inflation in 2006, largely because of
unexpectedly strong growth in commodity prices in late 2005.
As a result, the forecast level of nominal GDP in 2006 and 2007
is now over $20 billion higher than projected at the time of
the Update.
The risks to the Canadian economic outlook remain largely
external, and include uncertainty about commodity prices, the
risk of a sudden correction in U.S. house prices, and the risk
that the Canadian dollar may appreciate further in response to
adjustments to global imbalances.
Note: This chapter incorporates data available up to April 26, 2006. Figures in this chapter
are at annual rates unless otherwise noted.
26
Introduction
This chapter reviews recent economic developments and prospects. It establishes
the economic-planning assumptions that underlie the Government’s budget
plan and presents an assessment of risks and uncertainties associated with
the economic outlook.
The Canadian economy recorded solid growth in 2005, largely supported

by healthy increases in final domestic demand. Strong global growth in 2005
and rising demand for Canadian commodities contributed to a mid-year
recovery in exports as the Canadian economy adjusted to past appreciations
of the dollar.
Looking ahead, forecasters expect slightly stronger growth in 2006 than

estimated at the time of the November 2005 Economic and Fiscal Update
due to stronger than anticipated growth in the second half of 2005. The
risks to the Canadian economic outlook remain largely external.
External Environment
Despite continued high oil prices, the global economic expansion maintained
its momentum in 2005 and is expected to remain broadly on track over
the near term. U.S. growth is expected to slow but continue to be strong.
Growth in Japan and Europe is firming, and there is growing optimism that
the improvement is sustainable. Overall, the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) forecasts world real GDP growth (calculated at market exchange
rates) of 3.6 per cent in 2006 and 3.4 per cent in 2007 (Table 2.1).
Table 2.1
Global Outlook for Real GDP Growth
2004 2005 2006 2007
(per cent)
World1 4.0 3.4 3.6 3.4
Japan 2.3 2.7 2.8 2.1
China 10.1 9.9 9.5 9.0
Euro area 2.1 1.3 2.0 1.9
United Kingdom 3.1 1.8 2.5 2.7
United States 4.2 3.5 3.4 3.0
1 World real GDP growth is calculated using market exchange rates.
Sources: IMF, World Economic Outlook (April 2006); Blue Chip Economic Indicators (April 2006).
27
United States
The U.S. economy slowed temporarily in the final quarter of 2005, as the
end of automobile buyer incentive programs and surging gasoline prices in
the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina took a toll on consumer spending and
net exports weakened. Nevertheless, for 2005 as a whole, U.S. real GDP
growth was a solid 3.5 per cent. Moreover, the economy bounced back
strongly in the first quarter of 2006, reflecting rebounds in consumer
spending, business investment and government spending as well as an
acceleration in exports.
Going forward, U.S. growth is expected to ease during the second half
of the year and into 2007, reflecting higher interest rates and a moderating
housing market. Nevertheless, rising incomes and healthy corporate profits
should help sustain growth in domestic demand, while a pickup in growth
in its trading partners should translate into higher net export growth.
Markets currently expect the Federal Reserve to complete its tightening
cycle by mid-2006. Overall, U.S. private sector forecasters expect U.S. real
GDP growth to average 3.4 per cent in 2006 and then ease to 3.0 per cent
in 2007. The 2007 forecast is 0.2 percentage points lower than at the time
of the November 2005 Economic and Fiscal Update.
Overseas Economies
In Japan, economic activity picked up strongly in late 2005. While Japanese
growth has been supported by strong export growth, the expansion is
increasingly being driven by final domestic demand. The IMF expects
Japan’s recovery to remain firmly on track in 2006, as rising employment,
strong corporate profits and a turnaround in bank credit growth continue
to support domestic demand. Real GDP growth is expected to edge up
to 2.8 per cent in 2006 before easing to 2.1 per cent in 2007.
In China, economic activity remains very strong thanks to high levels

of investment and strong net exports. China recorded growth of about
10 per cent for the third consecutive year in 2005. The pace of expansion
is projected to slow modestly in 2006 and 2007, as the contribution
from external demand moderates and the government acts to slow
investment growth.
The pattern of growth in the euro area has been relatively uneven but
appears generally indicative of a strengthening expansion. Recent monthly
indicators point to healthy activity so far in 2006. The recovery is expected
28
to strengthen going forward, as last year’s depreciation of the euro and

favourable financing conditions support business investment and external
demand strengthens. Real GDP growth for the euro area is forecast
to average 2.0 per cent in 2006 and 1.9 per cent in 2007, up from
1.3 per cent in 2005.
Economic growth in the United Kingdom slowed to 1.8 per cent in

2005, as a cooling housing market and higher energy prices brought about
a slowdown in consumption. Nonetheless, business investment and export
growth have remained steady, and as the factors that dampened activity in
2005 wane, real GDP growth is forecast to increase to 2.5 per cent in 2006
and 2.7 per cent in 2007.
Canadian Economy
In 2005, real GDP increased 2.9 per cent, the same pace as in 2004.
Final domestic demand remained the engine of growth throughout the year,
particularly consumer spending and business non-residential investment
(Chart 2.1). At the same time, real exports improved, making growth more
balanced. The current expansion is in its 15th year—the second longest in
the postwar period (Chart 2.2).
Chart 2.1
Real GDP Growth Growth in Real Exports
per cent, period to period at annual rates and Imports
6 per cent, period to period at annual rates
Real GDP
14
Final domestic Real exports
demand Real imports
5 12
10
4
8
6
3
4
2 2
0
1
-2
0 -4
2004 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2004 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005
Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Source: Statistics Canada. Source: Statistics Canada.
29
Chart 2.2
Historical Expansion Length (Period Without Recession)1
quarters
100
80
60
Average expansion length since
1947 = 31 quarters
40
20
0
1947– 1951– 1957 1958– 1980– 1983– 1991–
1951 1956 1980 1981 1990 present
1
A recession is defined here as two consecutive quarters of negative growth.
Sources: Statistics Canada; Department of Finance Canada.
Developments in the world economy put upward pressure on the

Canadian dollar in 2005, a continuation of the trend that began in late
2002. Global demand for commodities—particularly from rapid-growth
regions like emerging Asia—has been strong in recent years, boosting global
commodity prices. As a net exporter of commodities, Canada’s currency
tends to rise when commodity prices rise. Global portfolio adjustments have
also put upward pressure on the Canadian dollar in recent years in response
to large and persistent U.S. current account deficits.
On a trade-weighted basis, the Canadian dollar has risen more than any
other major currency since the beginning of 2003 (Chart 2.3). Moreover,
the Canadian economy is more exposed to currency movements than other
major economies, given Canada’s high ratio of total trade to GDP.
30
Chart 2.3
Nominal Effective Exchange Rate of Major Currencies1
per cent
40
30
20
Change between January 2003 and March 2006
10
-10
-20
Canadian Euro British Japanese Chinese U.S.
dollar pound yen renminbi dollar
1
The nominal effective exchange rate is an index of a currency’s value relative to a trade-weighted average
of other countries’ currencies.
Source: Department of Finance Canada calculations.
The appreciation of the Canadian dollar has posed a challenge to

Canadian firms that are highly exposed to international trade. Employment
in the manufacturing sector has declined by 173,900 since January 2003,
around the time the dollar began to appreciate. Employment has been
shifting away from manufacturing and into services in virtually all advanced
industrial economies over the past 35 years (Chart 2.4). The previous
weakness of the Canadian dollar masked this trend during the 1990s.
The overall economy has been adjusting well to the challenge posed
by the rising dollar, with employment in all other industries growing by
989,100 since January 2003. The decline in Canadian manufacturing
employment has been accompanied by strong employment growth in
high-wage sectors such as construction, finance, insurance and real estate,
professional and scientific services, and education.
In 2005, the Canadian economy created 254,700 new positions, all

of which were full-time, and 2006 got off to a good start with a total
of 101,500 new jobs in the first quarter (Chart 2.5). With strong job
creation, the unemployment rate fell steadily through 2005 and sat at
6.3 per cent in March 2006, its lowest level since December 1974.
31
Chart 2.4
Manufacturing Employment
per cent of total employment
40
35
Germany1
30
UK
25
Japan
20
Canada
15
U.S. 2
10
5
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
1
Data are for West Germany prior to 1991.
2
As a share of non-farm employees.
Sources: Statistics Canada; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development STAN database; UK Office for National Statistics; Federal Statistical Office Germany;
Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Chart 2.5
Employment and the Unemployment Rate
thousands per cent
1,400 8.4
1,200 8.0
Cumulative job gains since
January 2002 (left scale)
1,000
7.6
800
Unemployment rate 7.2
(right scale)
600
6.8
400
6.4
200
0 6.0
Jan Jul Jan Jul Jan Jul Jan Jul Jan
2002 2002 2003 2003 2004 2004 2005 2005 2006
Source: Statistics Canada.
32
The strong pace of job creation has supported income growth and real
consumer spending, which grew almost 4 per cent between the fourth
quarters of 2004 and 2005. Durable and semi-durable goods consumption
have been particularly strong. Strong income growth and low mortgage
rates have supported residential investment growth, which grew by more
than 3 per cent in 2005.
Strong domestic demand, the recovery in exports and higher commodity

prices have helped maintain robust corporate profit growth. In the fourth
quarter of 2005, corporate profits were more than 13 per cent above their
level one year earlier. Total corporate profits in Canada now stand at
14.6 per cent of GDP, the highest level on record (Chart 2.6).
Reduced costs of imported machinery and equipment (M&E) stemming

from the stronger Canadian dollar have helped to support strong growth
in investment. Real investment in M&E was 10.7 per cent higher in the
fourth quarter of 2005 than one year earlier.
Engineering construction in the oil and gas sector has been stimulated
by higher energy prices and profits, contributing to a strengthening in
non-residential construction. Investment in the oil and gas sector is at its
highest share of GDP in 15 years.
Chart 2.6
Corporate Profits Real Investment Growth
per cent of GDP per cent, period to period
16 30
25
14
Historical average 20
since 1961 = 10.2 per cent M&E
12 15
10
10
5
8
0
6 -5
-10
4 Non-residential structures
-15
2 -20
1990 1992 1995 1997 2000 2002 2005 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005
Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1
Source: Statistics Canada. Source: Statistics Canada.
33
After growing an average of only 0.3 per cent per year in 2003 and 2004,
productivity growth rebounded in 2005, growing at a rate similar to the
2.1 per cent recorded over the 1997–2002 period.
While Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation increased following energy

price increases last fall, it subsided toward the end of 2005 as energy prices
eased. In March, total CPI inflation was 2.2 per cent (year over year), with
core inflation at 1.7 per cent. Core inflation has remained stable and below
the 2-per-cent mid-point of the inflation target range for over two years.
Later this year, the Government of Canada and the Bank of Canada will
announce a new inflation target agreement.
The Bank of Canada has raised interest rates by 150 basis points since
September 2005, reflecting its view that the Canadian economy is operating
at, or just above, its production capacity and its expectation that the
economy will continue to grow at a healthy pace in 2006 and 2007.
Private Sector Economic Forecasts

The Department of Finance Canada surveys 18 private sector economic
forecasters on a quarterly basis regarding their outlook for the Canadian
economy. This survey forms the basis for economic assumptions that
underlie the fiscal projections for the budget. In addition, the Minister
of Finance meets with a group of private sector economists to discuss
Canada’s economic outlook and the risks and uncertainties associated
with the outlook.
The economic forecasts reported here reflect the survey of private sector
forecasters conducted by the Department in March following the release
of the 2005 fourth-quarter National Income and Expenditure Accounts
by Statistics Canada on February 28.
Canadian real GDP growth over the second half of 2005 was slightly
stronger than private sector forecasters had anticipated at the time of the
November 2005 Economic and Fiscal Update, leading forecasters to revise
up their outlook for 2006 slightly from 2.9 per cent to 3.0 per cent.
Forecasters now expect the economy to grow by 2.7 per cent in 2007,
down from 3.1 per cent in the Update. The moderation in growth in 2007
likely reflects revisions to private sector forecasters’ views about U.S.
economic growth as well as upward revisions to their outlook for the
Canada-U.S. exchange rate over the same period.
34
Private sector forecasters have raised their forecasts for GDP inflation
in 2006 largely because of unexpectedly strong growth in commodity prices
in late 2005. Forecasters now expect GDP inflation of 2.9 per cent in 2006,
up from 2.2 per cent in the November Update. Forecasters have revised
their outlook for GDP inflation in 2007 to 1.8 per cent from 1.6 per cent
in November.
As a result, the outlook for nominal GDP growth in 2006 has been
revised up from 5.2 per cent in the November Update to 6.0 per cent.
The upward revision to GDP inflation in 2007 almost entirely offsets the
downward revision to real GDP growth in the year, resulting in nominal
GDP growth of 4.6 per cent, which is only marginally lower than projected
at the time of the Update (4.7 per cent). The forecast level of nominal
GDP in 2006 and 2007 is now over $20 billion higher than projected
at the time of the Update (Chart 2.7). Compared to the 2005 budget,
the nominal GDP forecast is $29 billion higher in 2006 and $25 billion
higher in 2007, after adjusting for historical revisions.
Chart 2.7
Changes in Nominal GDP Forecasts
billions of dollars
35
Change between Budget 20051 and Update 2005
Change between Update 2005 and Budget 2006
30
25
20
15
10
0
2005 2006 2007
1
Adjusted for historical revisions.
Sources: December 2004, September 2005 and March 2006 Department of Finance Canada surveys
of private sector forecasters.
35
In the November Update, private sector forecasters expected a gradual

pace of monetary tightening, resulting in short-term interest rates averaging
3.4 per cent in 2006 and 4.1 per cent in 2007. The current private sector
outlook reflects an accelerated pace of tightening with short-term rates
averaging 4.0 per cent in 2006. However, no further monetary tightening
is anticipated in 2007 as short-term interest rates are expected to average
4.1 per cent in 2007, unchanged from the Update.
The outlook for long-term interest rates has also been revised since
the Update. Interest rates on 10-year government bonds are expected to
average 4.4 per cent in 2006, unchanged from those expected at the time
of the Update. However, for 2007, long-term rates are expected to average
4.5 per cent, approximately 60 basis points lower than levels anticipated
in the Update, reflecting lower expectations of U.S. long-term rates.
Private sector forecasters expect the labour market in Canada to remain

healthy. The unemployment rate is forecast to average 6.6 per cent in
2006 and 2007, lower than the 6.8 per cent forecast over the same period
in the Update. Forecasters have raised their outlook for employment
growth in 2006 from 1.3 per cent in the Update to 1.5 per cent.
Employment growth is expected to slow somewhat from this strong pace
to 1.2 per cent in 2007, slightly lower than anticipated at the time of
the Update (1.4 per cent).
36
Table 2.2
Evolution of the Average Private Sector Forecast for Key Indicators
2005 2006 2007
(per cent, unless otherwise indicated)
Real GDP growth

February 2005 budget 2.9 3.1 3.1
November 2005 Economic and Fiscal Update 2.8 2.9 3.1
May 2006 budget 2.9 3.0 2.7
GDP inflation
May 2006 budget 3.1 2.9 1.8
Nominal GDP growth

May 2006 budget 6.1 6.0 4.6
Nominal GDP level (billions of dollars)

February 2005 budget1 1,354 1,422 1,492
November 2005 Economic and Fiscal Update 1,358 1,429 1,496
May 2006 budget 1,369 1,451 1,517
3-month treasury bill rate

May 2006 budget 2.7 4.0 4.1
10-year government bond rate

May 2006 budget 4.1 4.4 4.5
Unemployment rate
May 2006 budget 6.8 6.6 6.6
Employment growth
May 2006 budget 1.4 1.5 1.2
Addendum:
U.S. real GDP growth
February 2005 budget 3.6 3.4 n/a
May 2006 budget 3.5 3.4 3.0
1 Nominal GDP levels have been adjusted to reflect May 2005 revisions to Canada’s National Income
and Expenditure Accounts.
Sources: December 2004, September 2005 and March 2006 Department of Finance Canada surveys
of private sector forecasters. U.S. real GDP growth: January 2005, October 2005 and April 2006 Blue Chip
Economic Indicators.
37
Risks to the Economic Outlook

The risks to the Canadian outlook remain largely external. They are
uncertainty about commodity prices, the risk of a sharp correction in U.S.
house prices, and the risk that the Canadian dollar may appreciate further
in response to adjustments to global imbalances. There is also a concern
about the potential economic impacts of an influenza pandemic.
Commodity Prices
Prices for many commodities remain high and volatile. Strong demand
growth, particularly in developing Asian economies, combined with tight
supply conditions, has led to significantly higher prices of energy commodities
and industrial metals in recent years. From late 2002 to the first quarter of
2006, crude oil prices rose almost 120 per cent. Natural gas prices are up
over 80 per cent over the same period, despite a recent sharp decline. Prices
for key Canadian industrial metals saw even stronger gains, with price increases
for copper, nickel, zinc and aluminum averaging almost 150 per cent.
Higher commodity prices boost incomes and ultimately lead to higher

investment, employment and output in the commodity sector.
Higher commodity prices also tend to boost the Canadian dollar, which
can dampen growth in manufacturing and other export-oriented industries.
Further, higher prices for oil and natural gas translate directly into reduced
purchasing power of consumers both domestically and in our trading partners,
reducing growth in real consumer spending and exports. Strong demand
and limited capacity mean that there is a near-term risk of further oil and
natural gas price increases, which would pose a downside risk to near-term
real GDP growth in Canada and the United States. Oil prices also remain
vulnerable to geopolitical developments.
38
At the same time, energy and industrial metals prices remain well above
historical trend levels, in real terms. For example, real crude oil prices
are currently over 2.5 times their average level over the last six decades
(Chart 2.8), while real natural gas prices are nearly four times their
historical average over the same period. Similarly, real industrial metals
prices are likely also above historical trend levels. While private sector
forecasters expect some declines in both energy and non-energy commodity
prices, there is a risk that they could decline more than expected. This would
mean lower-than-expected nominal GDP over the medium term.
Chart 2.8
Price of West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil
U.S. dollars per barrel
70
Nominal price Private sector forecast
Real price1
60
50
40
Average real price 1946–2005
30
20
10
0
1946 1954 1962 1970 1978 1986 1994 2002 2010
1
Real price is the nominal price deflated using the U.S. producer price index.
Sources: Bridge Commodity Research Bureau; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
39
U.S. House Prices

Real U.S. house prices have increased at a rapid rate in the past few years
(Chart 2.9). While recent price gains have been less pronounced than those
recorded in other countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia,
their duration and size have far surpassed that of previous U.S. housing
booms. House prices have increased significantly in Canada as well,
although the rise has been less pronounced than in the U.S. and has partly
reflected a recovery from depressed levels in the mid-1990s.
The strength in U.S. house prices has provided an important boost to

economic activity in recent years. Rising house prices have stimulated
housing construction and boosted employment in housing-related
industries. Households’ willingness and ability to spend accumulated
housing wealth—through equity withdrawals and mortgage refinancing—
have been a major contributor to the growth in consumer expenditures.
Chart 2.9
Real House Prices
index, 1989 Q4 = 100
175
Australia
150
United Kingdom
125
United States
100
Canada
75
50
1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005
Q4 Q4 Q4 Q4 Q4 Q4 Q4 Q4 Q4
Sources: U.S. Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight; HBOS; Royal LePage; Bank of Canada
calculations; Statistics Canada; Australian Bureau of Statistics; UK Office of National Statistics;
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Department of Finance Canada calculations.
40
U.S. housing market indicators are already showing signs of cooling,

owing to rising interest rates in the U.S., as monetary policy aims to
gradually slow domestic demand to avoid an overheating economy.
U.S. house price growth is expected to gradually slow from its recent fast
pace, contributing to the weaker 2007 growth outlook predicted by private
sector forecasters. A more abrupt adjustment in house prices would imply
weaker consumer spending growth than expected. A slower U.S. economy
would have negative implications for the Canadian economy as well.
Resolution of Global Imbalances

Global imbalances continued to widen in 2005 (Chart 2.10). The U.S.
current account deficit grew to 6.4 per cent of U.S. GDP and almost
2 per cent of world GDP, matched by growing surpluses in China, oil-
exporting countries and Germany. Current account surpluses remained
large in Japan and the rest of emerging Asia as well.
Chart 2.10
World Current Account Balances
per cent of world GDP
1.0
Asia
0.5
Oil exporters1
0.0
Germany
-0.5
United States
-1.0
-1.5
-2.0
1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004
1
Includes major exporters of oil and other fuels as defined by the IMF, namely: Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan,
Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq,
Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic,
Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Yemen.
Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook (April 2006).
41
The widening of global imbalances in recent years reflects changes in

saving and investment in the U.S. and the rest of the world. In China and
(to a lesser extent) the rest of emerging Asia, active currency management
has boosted saving and has led to a massive accumulation of foreign
reserves. Surging oil prices since 2002 have boosted saving in oil-exporting
economies, such as those in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC), Russia and Norway. Investment as a share of GDP in
the rest of the world has fallen, reflecting economic weakness in Germany
and Japan and continued low investment in emerging Asia (excluding
China) since the Asian financial crisis of 1997–98. The combination of
rising saving and weak investment in the rest of the world has helped push
global long-term interest rates down.
Low long-term interest rates have boosted house prices and

consumption in the U.S., which has in turn pushed the personal savings
rate down. At the same time, the federal budget has shifted from surpluses
to large deficits. In this environment, the fall in the U.S. dollar since the
beginning of 2002 has not been sufficient to reduce imbalances.
Greater currency flexibility in emerging Asia, stronger overseas growth

and a reduction in the U.S. fiscal deficit would all help to correct global
imbalances. However, there is a risk that the main channel of adjustment
could be a further depreciation of the U.S. dollar against floating currencies
such as the Canadian dollar.
Influenza Pandemic
Since January 2004, widespread outbreaks of the H5N1 influenza virus
in birds have been associated with around 200 human cases and more than
100 deaths in Asia. Most human cases have been linked to direct contact
with infected poultry. There is a concern that H5N1 could mutate or mix
with an existing human influenza virus to create a new strain that would be
easily transmissible among humans and to which humans would have no
immunity. Such a strain could cause a pandemic.
While there is currently no indication that H5N1 is becoming

transmissible, a pandemic at some future date could have economic
consequences.
42
A severe pandemic like that of 1918 would likely lead to a brief but
noticeable reduction in GDP growth as a result of higher worker
absenteeism and reduced spending in some sectors. Some expenditures
would, however, be reallocated across sectors, lessening the impact on total
GDP. Growth could be expected to rebound sharply immediately following
the pandemic as absenteeism returns to normal levels and spending occurs
that had been delayed because of the pandemic. A mild pandemic like those
of 1957 and 1968 would likely have very small economic impacts.
43
The Economic Impacts of Past Influenza Pandemics and SARS

The 1918 Pandemic
The 1918 influenza pandemic was far more severe than any other on
record. About 20 per cent of Americans fell ill between September 1918
and January 1919, with about half the cases occurring in October. About
0.5 per cent of the U.S. population died, mostly from pneumonia complications.
Mortality was concentrated among persons aged 20 to 40. The increase in
mortality in the province of Ontario was similar to that in the United States
in 1918.
Declines in U.S. industrial production in the fall of 1918 suggest that the
pandemic reduced annual 1918 U.S. GDP by up to 0.5 per cent. Small
impacts are apparent in passenger rail and transit use. Retail sales, external
trade, financial markets and bankruptcies appear to have been unaffected.
Similar data are not available for Canada for this period.
The 1957 and 1968 Pandemics

The 1957 pandemic struck North America in the fall of 1957, with about
half the cases occurring in October. About 35 per cent of the population
fell ill and about 0.04 per cent died, with deaths concentrated among the
very young and very old. The 1968 pandemic reached North America in
December. It was the mildest of the three pandemics in the 20th century,
with population mortality of 0.02 per cent.
The 1957 pandemic pushed the Canadian illness absenteeism rate up
by 3.1 percentage points in October 1957. Both the 1957 and 1968
pandemics had very small impacts on the Canadian economy.
SARS
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was an atypical pneumonia
that appeared in Southeast Asia in late 2002 and early 2003 and spread
to a number of other countries in the spring. The World Health Organization
estimates that 8,096 people were infected, of whom 774 died. Canada was
the most affected non-Asian country with 251 cases and 43 deaths, most
of these in Toronto.
SARS had a significant impact on air travel to affected locations. Hong Kong
and Singapore were particularly vulnerable owing to the importance of tourism
to their economies. Air travel reductions stemming from SARS and the start
of the second Gulf War caused Hong Kong and Singapore GDP to contract
in the second quarter of 2003. Goods trade and retail sales were largely
unaffected. Reduced air travel also affected Canada, with negative impacts
on the accommodation industry, particularly in Toronto. Travel and
accommodation impacts reduced Canadian annual GDP by about
0.03 per cent in 2003.
44
3
BUILDING
A BETTER CANADA
Introduction
Canadians have chosen change, and Budget 2006 reflects that direction.
Canadians deserve a government that treats their tax dollars with respect.
A government that puts people first. A government that is accountable for
its actions, is fiscally responsible and keeps its word. It is time to turn
a new leaf.
Canada’s new government has a focused, responsible agenda to build

a better Canada. It will clean up government, provide real support to
hard-working Canadians and their families, restore fiscal balance within
the Canadian federation and strengthen Canada’s role in the world.
Budget 2006 proposes the necessary measures to implement

the Government’s commitment to its five key priorities and associated
platform commitments for Canadians. It contains proposals that would:
• Fund measures set out in the Federal Accountability Action Plan
to strengthen the accountability, oversight and transparency of
government operations.
• Ensure that all Canadians receive tax relief, starting with reducing the
goods and services tax by 1 percentage point on July 1, 2006. It
proposes further general tax relief by introducing the new Canada
Employment Credit, reducing the lowest tax rate and increasing the basic
personal amount.
• Support the child care choices of families through the new Universal
Child Care Benefit and the creation of new child care spaces.
• Protect Canadian families by tackling crime, strengthening the justice
system and increasing Canada’s capacity to defend its national security
and sovereignty.
• Work with provinces and territories to establish a Patient Wait Times
Guarantee, and lay out a principled framework to restore fiscal balance
in Canada.
This chapter outlines initiatives to implement these key commitments and

other related measures. By focusing on priorities, this budget will help
create opportunities for all Canadians.
47
ACCOUNTABILITY
Highlights
A core priority of the Government is to improve the accountability
and transparency of government operations to Canadians. The
Federal Accountability Action Plan, released on April 11, introduced
a wide-ranging set of reforms, including establishing the position of
a Parliamentary Budget Officer and a commitment to provide
quarterly updates of the fiscal outlook for the current fiscal year.
Budget 2006 announces a more transparent framework for budget

planning, consisting of the following elements:
The Government will make decisions in the budget over a
two-year planning horizon. Measures will be introduced when
they are affordable and ready to be implemented.
The Government will restrain the rate of spending growth.
The Government will introduce a new approach to managing
overall spending to ensure that government programs focus
on results and value for money, and are consistent with
government priorities and responsibilities. The President of the
Treasury Board will identify savings of $1 billion in 2006–07
and 2007–08.
The Government will plan on reducing the federal debt by
$3 billion annually. The Government is advancing by one year,
to 2013–14, the goal of lowering the debt-to-GDP ratio to
25 per cent.
The Government will examine the possibility of allocating a
portion of any surplus at year-end larger than $3 billion to the
Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan, in order to
make them more equitable for young Canadians and improve
economic competitiveness.
Financial reporting will be improved, in keeping with
recommendations from the Auditor General of Canada.
50

Accountability
Introduction
Accountability is the foundation of good government. A strong accountability
regime assures Parliament and Canadians that the Government of Canada
is using public resources efficiently and effectively. A central element of
accountability is transparency. Full and clear information on programs and
operations allows citizens and Parliament to hold the Government
accountable for its actions and results.
Transparency is also vital for the effective participation of citizens and

organizations in developing public policy, which helps to ensure better
decisions and better policies and programs for Canadians.
Improving public accountability and transparency is the first core priority

of the Government. The proposed Federal Accountability Act was the first
piece of legislation brought forward to Parliament by the Government. The
Federal Accountability Action Plan represents a comprehensive blueprint for
a more accountable, open and ethical government.
Building on these initiatives, Budget 2006 proposes an approach to fiscal

planning and managing taxpayer dollars that will improve transparency and
strengthen accountability.
Core Priority: Federal Accountability Action Plan

Through the Federal Accountability Action Plan released on April 11, 2006,
the Government proposed a broad-ranging set of reforms to strengthen
accountability, transparency and oversight in government operations. The
proposed Action Plan would:
• Ban institutional and large personal donations to political parties.
• Ensure that positions of public trust cannot be used as stepping stones
to private lobbying.
• Provide real protection for whistleblowers who show courage in coming
forward to do what is right.
• Establish within the Library of Parliament the position of Parliamentary
Budget Officer with a mandate to provide objective analysis on the state
of the nation’s finances and trends in the national economy, to conduct
economic and fiscal research, and to estimate the financial cost of
budgetary proposals under consideration in either the House of
Commons or the Senate.
51
• Require updates of the fiscal outlook for the current fiscal year on a
quarterly basis.
• Strengthen the capacity and independence of Officers of Parliament,
including the Auditor General of Canada, to hold the Government
to account.
• Strengthen auditing and accountability within departments by clarifying
the managerial responsibilities of deputy heads within the framework of
ministerial responsibility, and by bolstering the internal audit function
within departments and Crown corporations.
• Increase the transparency of appointments, contracts and auditing within
government and Crown corporations.
These measures will cost $164 million over the next two years.
Going forward, the Government will streamline its management policies

and consult with stakeholders on reducing barriers that inhibit access to
government. It will:
• Review its procurement and financial management policies to identify
where they could be streamlined.
• Repeal policies and regulations where they inhibit the effectiveness of
public service employees, while always maintaining a focus on promoting
accountability and good management.
Table 3.1
Accountability
2006–07 2007–08 Total
Federal Accountability Action Plan 57 60 117
Internal audit1 16 31 47
Total 73 91 164
1 Funding included in the initiatives announced before the Update and confirmed by the Government (Table 4.2).
The net new cost of accountability measures is $57 million in 2006–07 and $60 million in 2007–08.
52

Accountability
Improving Fiscal Transparency

and Financial Management
Budget 2006 proposes a more transparent budget framework, which
will include:
• A new approach to budget planning.
• Actions to limit spending growth and better manage expenditures.
• A commitment to reducing the federal debt.
• A proposal for allocating unplanned surpluses.
• Reforms to the Government’s financial reporting.
A New Approach to Budget Planning

and Fiscal Forecasting
Since the federal deficit was eliminated in 1997–98, budget surpluses have
frequently been higher than projected. This has eroded the credibility of the
budget process and limited the scope for parliamentarians and Canadians to
debate alternative uses of surplus funds. A new approach is required. The
Government will plan on achieving an annual debt reduction of $3 billion.
The former practice of adjusting the budget projections for economic
prudence is discontinued. In order to incorporate objective assumptions,
the budget projections will continue to be based on the average forecast
of private sector economists.
While in some key areas it is appropriate to signal the Government’s

medium- to longer-term fiscal intentions (e.g. defence and infrastructure),
in general it is important that the focus of the planning period be on the
near term, where uncertainties are fewer and the Government can
reasonably be held to account for its fiscal plan. For this reason,
the economic and fiscal projections of the budget are presented over
a two-year time horizon.
Limiting Spending Growth Through

Improved Expenditure Management
Over the past five years, total program spending has grown by an average
of 8.2 per cent annually. In 2004–05 growth in spending reached
14.4 per cent. This growth is neither sustainable nor desirable. The
Government is committed to restraining the rate of growth of spending to a
more sustainable level. This will require a focused approach to implementing
the Government’s priorities.
53
Reflecting the Government’s focus on its priorities for this budget, it will
not proceed with about $7 billion in spending proposals over five years
announced in the November 2005 Economic and Fiscal Update.
More broadly, the Government needs a new ongoing approach to

managing overall spending to ensure that all government programs are
effective and efficient, are focused on results, provide value for taxpayers’
money and are aligned with the Government’s priorities and responsibilities.
To that end, the Government is launching a review of its expenditure

management system. Led by the President of the Treasury Board, this
review will report on a new approach by the fall.
The new expenditure management system will respect the following

principles:
• Government programs should focus on results and value for money.
• Government programs must be consistent with federal responsibilities.
• Programs that no longer serve the purpose for which they were created
should be eliminated.
By applying these principles, the Government will ensure that growth

in program spending is sustainable and that the federation works better
for all Canadians.
To begin to put spending on a more sustainable track, the President

of the Treasury Board will identify savings of $1 billion for 2006–07 and
2007–08 and provide a progress report by the fall.
54

Accountability
Chart 3.1
Federal Debt-to-GDP Projections (Accumulated Deficit)
(Public Accounts Basis)
per cent of GDP
50
Debt reduction ($3 billion per year)
40
25-per-cent
target
30
20
10
0
2004–05 2006–07 2008–09 2010–11 2012–13 2014–15
A Commitment to Reduce Canada’s Debt Burden

The Government is committed to keep the federal debt-to-GDP ratio on
a downward track.
While Canada’s federal debt burden has been reduced significantly over
the last decade, it is still too high. As a percentage of GDP, federal debt stood
at 38.3 per cent in 2004–05, well above the ratio of the mid-1970s, when
large deficits began to emerge. It is also about double the combined debt
burden of provincial and territorial governments.
Lowering the debt burden reduces Canada’s exposure to fluctuations in

global interest rates and reduces the share of each revenue dollar that goes
to service the debt. It also helps Canada prepare for the fiscal challenges of
population aging. Population aging will slow government revenue growth
and put pressure on government expenditure programs such as health care
and pension benefits. These fiscal pressures provide a strong rationale for
additional debt reduction over the next decade.
In the 2004 budget, the previous government set the objective of

reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio to 25 per cent by 2014–15. Having taken
stock of the current financial situation, and in keeping with Canada’s new
55
government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, Budget 2006 advances this

commitment by one year with a new objective of reducing the debt-to-
GDP ratio to 25 per cent by 2013–14.
The Government will achieve this commitment by planning on annual

debt reduction of $3 billion. Reducing the federal debt-to-GDP ratio
to 25 per cent will mean that approximately 12 cents of every revenue
dollar would go to servicing the debt in 2013–14, compared to more than
16 cents in 2004–05.
Allocating Unplanned Surpluses

Recognizing that surpluses in excess of $3 billion may arise, the Government is
open to considering options to allocating unplanned surpluses. In particular,
the Government is proposing to discuss with provinces and territories the
possibility of introducing legislation authorizing the allocation of a portion
of unanticipated surpluses at fiscal year-end to the Canada Pension Plan
(CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP). This would allow the unplanned
surpluses to be used for the future benefit of Canadians.
Sharing unanticipated surpluses with the CPP/QPP would have three

main benefits.
• First, by contributing to a well-functioning federal-provincial program, it
would help further progress already achieved in building a cooperative,
effective federation. The CPP/QPP is a key pillar of Canada’s retirement
income system, providing a significant part of the income of Canada’s
seniors. Reforms undertaken as part of the 1997 federal-provincial
agreement have put the Plan on a sustainable footing for at least the
next 75 years and have contributed to making Canada one of the few
industrialized nations to have an affordable and sustainable
pension system.
• Second, the proposal would improve intergenerational equity. While the
1997 reform agreement helped address some of the intergenerational
unfairness that had built up in the CPP, current young workers are still
paying a much higher contribution rate (9.9 per cent) than that paid by
past generations for the same benefits. For example, a Canadian born
in 1990 will earn a real rate of return of 2.1 percent on his or her CPP
investment, compared to a real rate of return of 6.2 per cent for someone
born in 1940. By committing to direct a portion of federal unplanned
surpluses to the CPP/QPP, the Government could help to lower future
contribution rates and thus further improve intergenerational equity in
the Plan.
56

Accountability
• Third, over the medium term, by lowering the contribution burden

on future generations of workers, the proposal would encourage
participation in the Canadian labour market and enhance the
competitiveness of the Canadian economy.
Reforms to Government Financial Reporting

Informed public discussion of fiscal issues requires up-to-date knowledge
of Canada’s fiscal position. In the Federal Accountability Action Plan, the
Government committed to update government fiscal forecasts for the
current fiscal year on a quarterly basis. This responds to parliamentarians’
desire for more frequent access to up-to-date fiscal forecasts.
Quarterly updates of the fiscal outlook for the current fiscal year will now
be provided as follows:
Table 3.2
Schedule of Updates of the Fiscal Outlook for the Current Fiscal Year
Covering results Months covered Release date for
Update document up to the end of in quarter update document
June Fiscal Monitor Quarter 1 April to June August
Fall Economic and
Fiscal Update Quarter 2 July to September October/November
Budget Quarter 3 October to December February/March
March Fiscal Monitor Quarter 4 January to March May
Consistent with recommendations made by the Auditor General, the

Government is taking action in Budget 2006 to improve the transparency
of its financial information.
First, the revenues and expenses of a number of organizations will now

be included in the Government’s financial statements. These include:
• Canada Foundation for Innovation.
• Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation.
• Sustainable Development Technology Canada.
• Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
57
These foundations will continue to operate as they have since their

creation. The Government will retain the use of foundations as an
important policy tool on the same governance principles. The
independence, financial stability and focused expertise of foundations allow
them to address specific challenges in a highly effective manner. Foundations
have become important vehicles for implementing policy, particularly in areas
such as research and development, where expert knowledge, third-party
partnerships and peer review are especially important. With this change in
accounting policy, the Government’s financial statements of prior periods
will be restated, resulting in an estimated cumulative $5.5-billion decrease
in the size of the federal debt as at March 31, 2005.
Second, budgeted revenues and expenses will now be presented on a gross

basis. Previous budgets were presented on a net basis, whereby certain
disbursements were netted against budgetary revenues and certain revenues
were netted against expenses. On a gross basis, all disbursements are
included in program expenses and all revenues are included as part of
budgetary revenues. The move to a gross basis brings the presentation of
the budget forecast in line with the presentation of annual audited results
reported in the Public Accounts of Canada.
Presenting forecast results on a gross basis increases the level of estimated

spending and revenues by $13.8 billion each in 2005–06, or about
1 percentage point of GDP. Notably, the Canada Child Tax Benefit, an
income-tested benefit that was previously netted against personal income tax
revenues, will now be presented as an expenditure. As these changes affect
both budgetary revenues and program expenses by the same amount, they
have no impact on the budgetary balance.
These changes will be reflected in the monthly Fiscal Monitor starting in

2006–07. Annex 2 contains a more detailed discussion of these changes.
58
OPPORTUNITY
Highlights
This budget proposes comprehensive tax relief for individuals,
valued at almost $20 billion over the next two years—more than
the last four budgets combined.
– As a result, about 655,000 low-income Canadians will be
removed from the tax rolls altogether.
Overall, this budget delivers more than twice as much tax relief
as new spending.
The goods and services tax (GST) will be reduced by
1 percentage point as of July 1, 2006.
In addition to reducing the GST, Budget 2006 proposes to
reduce personal income taxes for all taxpayers through:
– The new Canada Employment Credit—a tax credit on
employment income of up to $500, effective July 1, 2006, to
help working Canadians. The eligible amount will double to
$1,000 as of January 1, 2007.
– A permanent legislated reduction in the lowest tax rate to
15.5 per cent from 16 per cent as of July 1, 2006. The budget
also confirms that the lowest tax rate will be 15 per cent from
January 1, 2005 until June 30, 2006.
– Increases in the basic personal amount—the amount that all
Canadians can earn without paying federal income tax—above
its currently legislated level for 2005, 2006 and 2007.
– As a result of these personal income tax and GST reductions,
families earning between $15,000 and $30,000 a year will be
better off by almost $300 in 2007. Families earning between
$45,000 and $60,000 will save almost $650.
To create an environment for jobs and growth, Budget 2006
proposes to make Canada’s tax system more internationally
competitive by:
– Reducing the general corporate income tax rate to 19 per cent
from 21 per cent by 2010.
– Eliminating the corporate surtax for all corporations as of
January 1, 2008.
– Eliminating the federal capital tax as of January 1, 2006,
two years ahead of schedule.
60

Opportunity
To support the growth of small business, Budget 2006

proposes to:
– Increase the amount of small business income eligible for the
12-per-cent tax rate to $400,000 from $300,000 as of
January 1, 2007.
– Reduce the 12-per-cent tax rate applying to qualifying small
business income to 11.5 per cent in 2008 and 11 per cent
in 2009.
Budget 2006 takes action in support of a more skilled and
educated workforce by proposing:
– A new tax credit of up to $2,000 for employers who hire
apprentices.
– A new $1,000 grant for first- and second-year apprentices.
– A new $500 tax deduction for tradespeople for costs in excess
of $1,000 for tools they must acquire as a condition of
employment. Also, the $200 limit on the cost of tools eligible
for the 100-per-cent capital cost allowance will be increased
to $500.
– A new tax credit for the cost of textbooks, which will provide
a tax reduction of about $80 per year for a typical full-time
post-secondary student.
– The elimination of the current $3,000 limit on the amount of
scholarship, bursary and fellowship income a post-secondary
student can receive without paying federal income tax.
– Confirming up to $1 billion to provinces and territories to
support urgent investments in post-secondary education
infrastructure.
– Expanded eligibility for Canada Student Loans through a
reduction in the expected parental contribution, starting in
August 2007.
61
Budget 2006 affirms this government’s strong commitment to

agriculture by providing an additional $2 billion over two years
to the farming sector.
– $1.5 billion will be provided this year. This includes
$500 million for farm support, plus a one-time investment of
$1 billion to assist farmers in the transition to more effective
programming for farm income stabilization and disaster relief.
Budget 2006 provides $400 million over two years to combat
the pine beetle infestation, strengthen the long-term
competitiveness of the forestry sector and support
worker adjustment.
Looking forward, the Government will develop a broad-based
agenda to promote a more competitive, productive Canada.
62

Opportunity
Introduction
Canada has long been a destination for people from all over the world in
search of a better life for themselves and their families. In recent years,
however, Canadians have been increasingly concerned that our children
and grandchildren may not enjoy the same opportunities that we have had.
Canada’s new government believes in creating new opportunities

for Canadians wherever they live. That is why Budget 2006 takes action
to help families and individuals as well as businesses by lowering taxes,
rewarding effort and making Canada a better place in which to do business.
A first priority is to return money to Canadians by reducing the GST

and to propose other significant tax relief and investments that will create
jobs and boost Canada’s economy by improving incentives to work, save
and invest.
This approach will increase disposable incomes and create new

opportunities for all Canadians. It sets Canada on a new course toward
further actions in the future.
Details on all tax measures are set out in Annex 3.
63
Core Priority: Tax Relief for All Canadians

This government believes that Canadians pay too much tax. It believes
they should have greater opportunity to reap the rewards of joining
the workforce and, once in the labour market, to keep more of their
hard-earned tax dollars, so that they can invest in the things that matter
most to them and their families.
Budget 2006 proposals will leave significantly more money in the

pockets of Canadians. It delivers greater benefits, especially for middle-
income families, than anticipated under tax measures proposed in 2005.
With these measures, the Government is not only keeping its word to
Canadians on the GST, but also going much further in delivering
immediate, real, and continuing results for people across the country. This
budget provides almost $20 billion in tax relief for individuals over the next
two years—more than the last four budgets combined. The tax measures in
this budget will remove some 655,000 people from the income tax rolls.
The Government’s tax plan includes:

• Reducing the GST by 1 percentage point, as of July 1, 2006. This is a
tax reduction for all Canadians, including those whose incomes are too
low to pay any income tax. It provides immediate tax relief starting
July 1, 2006. The GST will be reduced by a further percentage point
in a future budget.
• Legislating a permanent reduction in the lowest personal income tax rate
from 16 per cent to 15.5 per cent effective July 1, 2006, and confirming
that the rate will be 15 per cent from January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006.
This rate currently applies to taxable incomes under $36,378 and is
generally used to calculate tax credits.
• Introducing the Canada Employment Credit—a new tax credit on
employment income of up to $500 effective July 1, 2006, to recognize
employees’ work expenses for things such as home computers, uniforms
and supplies, and doubling the amount of eligible employment income to
$1,000 effective January 1, 2007, and beyond.
• Increasing the basic personal amount—the amount that all Canadians can
earn without paying federal income tax—above its currently legislated
level for 2005, 2006 and 2007.
• Introducing new and enriched support and tax relief for Canadian
families working hard to raise their children, as well as pensioners,
students and Canadians who regularly use public transit.
64

Opportunity
• Reducing taxes for businesses to create an environment for jobs and

growth and make Canada’s tax system more internationally competitive.
In total, this budget will provide more than $26 billion in tax relief over
the period 2005–06 to 2007–08. Of this, over 90 per cent will
go to individuals.
Chart 3.2
Distribution of Tax Relief, 2005–06 to 2007–08
Business tax2
1
8% GST3
Personal tax
33%
59%
Total Relief: $26.2 billion
1
Includes the Right of Permanent Residence Fee and the repeal of the excise tax on jewellery.
2
Includes measures to support Canadian vintners and small brewers.
3
Includes the adjustment to tobacco and alcohol excise levies.
Table 3.3
Tax Relief Provided by Budget 2006
2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 Total
(billions of dollars) (per cent)
GST1 3.5 5.2 8.7 33
Personal tax2 5.0 5.3 5.2 15.5 59
Business tax3 1.1 0.9 2.0 8
Total 5.0 9.9 11.3 26.2 100
1 Includes the adjustment to tobacco and alcohol excise levies.
2 Includes Right of Permanent Residence Fee and the repeal of the excise tax on jewellery.
3 Includes measures to support Canadian vintners and small brewers.
65
Reducing the GST Rate to 6 Per Cent

Budget 2006 proposes to reduce the rate of the GST to 6 per cent from
7 per cent effective July 1, 2006. The 1-point rate reduction will also
apply to the federal portion of the harmonized sales tax (HST) in
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
This measure delivers on a key commitment of Canada’s new

government. It will put money in the pockets of Canadians every time
they buy something for themselves, their families or their home. It will
especially benefit younger families who are buying and furnishing their
first new home.
This is by far the single largest initiative in this budget. For consumers,
savings from the GST reduction will amount to approximately $3.5 billion
in 2006–07 and about $5.2 billion in 2007–08. To provide relief to low-
and modest-income Canadians, Budget 2006 proposes to maintain the
GST credit at current levels even though the GST rate will be reduced. It
also proposes to retain the existing GST/HST rebate rates for new housing
and purchases made by public sector bodies. This will ensure that a new
home or residential rental property purchase, and purchases by public sector
entities, will continue to benefit from the same level of GST relief as is
currently available.
Reducing the GST to 6 Per Cent—Examples of Tax Savings

• A family purchasing a new $200,000 home will save $1,280 in GST.
• A family buying $20,000 in new furnishings for that new home will save
$200 in GST.
• A family spending $30,000 on a new car will save $300 in GST.
Note: The GST saving of $1,280, resulting from the GST rate reduction to 6 per cent, takes into
account the GST New Housing Rebate, which is equal to 36 per cent of the gross GST payable
on the price of a new home valued at less than $350,000.
The July 1, 2006, implementation date was chosen to ease the

administrative transition for Canadian businesses. It will provide businesses
with sufficient advance notice to modify their cash registers and other
systems, and the date coincides with GST filing periods, not only for
monthly filers but also smaller businesses that file quarterly.
66

Opportunity
More Money in Canadians’ Pockets

Budget 2006 will leave significantly more money in families’ pockets—
money they can save, put towards a new home or invest in things that
matter to them.
On average, families earning between $15,000 and $30,000 per year will be
almost $300 better off in 2007, while families earning between $45,000
and $60,000 per year will be almost $650 better off. These families will
benefit from:
• Paying less GST.
• Claiming the new Canada Employment Credit.
• Earning more income before they have to start paying federal
income tax.
• Paying less tax on each dollar of income up to $36,378.
Broad-Based Tax Relief for Individuals,

by Family Income Group1
Income 2006 2007
(dollars)
Less than 15,000 -51 -96
15,000 – 30,000 -199 -298
30,000 – 45,000 -367 -509
45,000 – 60,000 -459 -643
60,000 – 80,000 -562 -797
80,000 –100,000 -682 -990
100,000 – 150,000 -795 -1,228
Over 150,000 -1,151 -1,987
1 Tax savings beyond measures already legislated in the Income Tax Act.
Individuals may also qualify for additional relief from targeted tax relief
measures proposed in this budget, such as an increased pension income
tax credit, a new tools deduction for tradespeople, and a new credit for
Canadians from all walks of life who are regular users of public transit.
This relief is not some distant promise. The measures will start in 2006,
will reach full effect by the start of 2007, and will be ongoing.
67
To assist taxpayers in the transition to the new, lower GST rate, specific
rules have been developed for transactions that occur close to, or straddle,
the July 1, 2006, implementation date. These rules will provide clarity and
certainty to consumers, businesses and administrative agencies such as
the Canada Revenue Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency. The
rules will cover, for example, purchases of new homes that straddle the
July 1, 2006, implementation date. Further details on the application of
these rules are set out in Annex 3.
Budget 2006 proposes to adjust federal excise levies on tobacco and

alcohol products to substantially maintain the overall current federal tax
burden on these products. These adjustments will take effect July 1, 2006,
and will apply to inventories of tobacco products held at the end of
June 30, 2006.
Going forward, the Government remains committed to reducing the

GST by a further point in a future budget. In addition, the Government is
committed to working with remaining provinces that want to enhance their
economic competitiveness and productivity by harmonizing their retail sales
taxes with the GST.
Competitiveness and Efficiency of the Canadian Economic

Union: Furthering Provincial Sales Tax Harmonization
Harmonized sales taxes are now in place in Newfoundland and Labrador,
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Quebec administers a provincial
value-added tax, as well as collecting the GST on behalf of the federal
government. However, separate provincial retail sales taxes continue to
be collected in five provinces. The existence of provincial retail sales
taxes substantially increases the effective tax rate on investment by taxing
business capital goods and intermediate materials, thereby impairing the
competitiveness of our tax system. Having to comply with different sales
tax systems also greatly increases the complexity and the cost of doing
business. The Government invites all provinces that have not yet done so
to engage in discussions on the harmonization of their provincial retail
sales taxes with the federal GST.
68

Opportunity
Delivering Broad-Based Personal

Income Tax Relief
Raising the Basic Personal Amount and
Reducing the Bottom Personal Tax Rate
Reducing the GST will deliver tax relief to all Canadians, including those
who do not earn enough to pay personal income tax. Budget 2006
proposes legislative amendments that will provide additional tax relief
for individuals by:
• Increasing the basic personal amount—the amount that an individual can
earn without paying federal income tax—so that it grows each year and
remains above currently legislated levels for 2005, 2006, and 2007. This
includes preserving the $500 increase scheduled for 2005. The basic
personal amount will continue to grow with indexation in addition to a
permanent $100 increase in 2007.
• Permanently reducing the lowest personal income tax rate from
16 per cent to 15.5 per cent effective July 1, 2006, and confirming that
the rate will be 15 per cent from January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006.
This rate currently applies to taxable incomes under $36,378 and is
generally used to calculate tax credits.
Together, these measures will provide personal income tax relief of

almost $2.8 billion in 2006–07 and $1.9 billion in 2007–08.
Introducing the Canada Employment Credit

Working Canadians are the foundation of Canada’s economic growth.
However, choosing to work also means additional costs—costs for
everything from uniforms and safety gear, to home computers and
various supplies.
For some, particularly low-income Canadians, these additional costs

may impose a barrier to joining the workforce. For others, work-related
employment expenses are another factor that limits the rewards of their
hard work.
In recognition of this, Budget 2006 proposes to introduce the Canada

Employment Credit, a new employment expense tax credit for employees’
work expenses. A credit on employment income of up to $500 will be
provided, effective July 1, 2006. The amount of employment income
eligible for the credit will rise to $1,000 effective January 1, 2007.
69
The credit will significantly increase the amount of income that

Canadians can earn without paying federal income tax—to almost $10,000
by 2007. It will make work more attractive, particularly for lower-income
workers. It will also put employees on a more equal footing with the self-
employed, in terms of the tax recognition they receive for the expenses
they incur to earn income.
This measure is expected to reduce the taxes paid by working Canadians

by $890 million in 2006–07 and $1.8 billion in 2007–08.
Competitiveness and Efficiency of the Canadian

Economic Union: Improving Work Incentives
for Low-Income Canadians
Many low-income Canadians, particularly social assistance recipients, face
significant financial barriers to paid employment and, for them, taking a job
can mean being financially worse off. As illustrated in the chart below, a
typical single parent who takes a low-income job can lose about 80 cents of
each dollar earned to taxes and reduced income support. He or she could
also lose in-kind benefits such as subsidized housing and prescription drugs,
and will probably incur new work-related expenses. This situation is often
referred to as the “welfare wall.”
Progress has been made in lowering the welfare wall in recent years,
notably for families with children, through the federal-provincial-territorial
National Child Benefit initiative. However, significant work disincentives
remain. Both the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) and the International Monetary Fund have
identified improving work incentives for low-income individuals as a priority
for Canada. The November 2005 Economic and Fiscal Update proposed to
introduce an earned income tax credit called the Working Income Tax
Benefit (WITB) to improve incentives to work for low-income Canadians.
This government will push this idea forward to enable more low-income
Canadians to become self-reliant. Reducing barriers to paid employment is
essential to fostering opportunities and economic growth. In this context,
the Government of Canada will identify, in consultation with provinces and
territories, potential measures to improve incentives to work for low-income
Canadians, including through an earned income tax credit such as a WITB.
70

Opportunity
Chart 3.3
Net Federal and Provincial Income Taxes Paid by Low- and
Middle-Income Families (Single Parent With One Child)
(dollars) Effective marginal tax rate (per cent)
80
30,000 Effective marginal tax rate on $10,000
78%
increase in income (right scale)
20,000
15,000 51% 54%

43% 41% 40
10,800
10,000
6,700
5,000
1,300
0 0
-3,800
-5,000 -8,100
-15,900
-10,000
Net income tax (left scale)
-15,000
-20,000
0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000
Earnings (dollars)
Notes:
1. “Net income tax” refers to taxes less benefits (including social assistance). Effective marginal tax rates
represent the reduction in benefits, and increase in taxes, for each additional dollar earned. For example,
someone moving from $0 to $10,000 in earnings would lose 78% of every additional dollar earned.
2. Figures are based on a weighted average of eight provinces: Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Newfoundland and
Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Saskatchewan. Social assistance benefit levels and
reduction rates vary significantly across provinces. No earnings exemptions have been applied.
Source: Department of Finance Canada.
Creating Jobs and Growing Canada’s Economy

Lower taxes for businesses are essential if Canada is to remain competitive.
They will encourage the investment necessary to create jobs and ultimately
improve the living standards of Canadians. Capital investment—for
example, in new machinery and more efficient technology—makes workers
more productive and, in so doing, leads to economic growth, more jobs
and higher wages. In an increasingly globalized economy where investment
capital is highly mobile, a competitive business tax system is crucial.
71
To make Canada’s tax system more competitive, Budget 2006 sets out a
significant business tax relief plan that will:
• Reduce the general corporate income tax rate from 21 per cent to
19 per cent by January 1, 2010.
• Eliminate the corporate surtax for all corporations in 2008.1
• Eliminate the federal capital tax as of January 1, 2006, two years ahead
of schedule.
These corporate tax reductions will allow Canada to regain the solid
statutory tax rate advantage that it had vis-à-vis the U.S. before the 2004
U.S. tax changes. The tax reductions proposed in this budget will allow
Canada to regain an advantage of 5.1 percentage points for manufacturing
income in 2010, making us a more attractive destination for investment.
Chart 3.4
Corporate Statutory Tax Rates in Canada and the U.S.—
Manufacturing Income1
per cent
42
Before U.S. tax cuts With U.S. tax cuts With proposed
U.S. rate Canadian tax cuts
40
Canada—existing rates U.S. rate U.S. rate
Canada—Budget 2006 5.1
proposed rates
38
3.0
36 2.0
5.1
34
32
30
2006 2008 2010 2006 2008 2010 2006 2008 2010
1
Combined average federal-provincial and federal-state income tax rates for manufacturing income, including
capital tax equivalents. The Canadian federal income tax rate for manufacturing and processing (M&P) income
is the same as the general rate, while some provinces have a reduced income tax rate on M&P income.
1 The elimination of the corporate surtax in 2008 for small and medium-sized businesses
has already been legislated.
72

Opportunity
However, a statutory tax rate advantage is not enough. Other aspects of

the business tax system also affect investment decisions. The overall impact
of the business tax system on investment can be measured by the marginal
effective tax rate (METR). Using this measure, Canada does not currently
have an advantage over the U.S. By 2010, when the measures proposed in
this budget are in place, Canada’s METR will be, overall, slightly lower
than that of the U.S.
Chart 3.5
Overall Tax Burden on New Investment in 2010
with Proposed Corporate Income Tax Reduction (METRs)
per cent
34.3
35
2.4 Proposed tax
reductions 7.1 0.5
30
5.5 Provincial/
state sales
25 1.7 taxes on
capital goods
20
Provincial/state 34.5
31.9 capital taxes
15
26.9
24.7
10 Corporate
income
taxes1
5
0
Canada U.S.
1
Average federal and provincial/state corporate income taxes.
Provinces also have an important role to play in improving business tax

competitiveness. Recognizing this, many provinces have taken steps to
reduce or eliminate their capital taxes. However, some provinces continue
to impose retail sales taxes on capital expenditures. Complete elimination of
capital taxes and the elimination of provincial retail sales taxes on business
inputs by all provinces would significantly improve Canada’s chances in the
international competition for investment, resulting in more jobs and
growth. The Government invites provinces to consider accelerating the
elimination of these taxes, which impair productivity in Canada.
73
Table 3.4
Provincial Capital Taxes1
Alberta No capital tax
British Columbia No capital tax
Newfoundland and Labrador No capital tax
Prince Edward Island No capital tax
Saskatchewan Elimination in 2008
New Brunswick Elimination in 2009
Nova Scotia Elimination in 2009
Ontario Elimination in 2012 2
Manitoba Plans to reduce 3
Quebec Being reduced 4
1 General capital taxes only (i.e. does not include capital taxes on financial institutions).
2 Ontario announced its intention to accelerate the elimination of its capital tax to 2010 should the fiscal
position of the province permit.
3 Manitoba announced its intention to reduce its capital tax if balanced budget requirements are met.
4 Quebec announced the gradual reduction of its capital tax from 0.6 per cent in 2005 to 0.29 per cent
in 2009.
Even with tax reductions proposed in this budget in place, Canada will
remain under pressure to improve the competitiveness of its tax system.
International trends are to lower business tax rates (Chart 3.6). Many other
countries—including small countries with open economies and generous
social benefits systems like Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands—have
more competitive corporate tax systems than Canada.
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Chart 3.6
International Trends in Statutory Corporate Income Tax Rates,
1997-20101, 2, 3
per cent
50
Canada without proposed
tax rate reductions
45
U.S. manufacturing U.S. general
40
G7 countries
(except Canada)
35
OECD countries
Canada with proposed
(except Canada)
tax rate reductions
30
Small, open
economies3
25
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
1
Figures for Canada and the U.S. include capital taxes.
2
Post-2005 includes Budget 2006 proposed tax reductions for Canada and legislated tax reductions
in other countries.
3
Small, open economies are: Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway,
Sweden and Switzerland.
This trend is expected to continue, maintaining pressure on Canada

to keep our tax system competitive in order to encourage investment and
support a more productive economy that improves opportunity for all
Canadians. Budget 2006 establishes a clear commitment to improve the
international competitiveness of Canada’s corporate tax system, beginning
with establishing a meaningful overall METR advantage over the
United States. The measures proposed in this budget are major steps
toward this goal.
Reducing Taxes for Small Businesses

Small businesses create jobs and are the backbone of our country’s
economy. An important way that Canada’s federal income tax system
supports the growth of small businesses is through a lower tax rate on
the first $300,000 of qualifying income earned by a Canadian-controlled
private corporation. This helps these small businesses to retain more of
their earnings for reinvestment and expansion, thereby helping to create
jobs and promote economic growth in Canada.
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To further encourage small business growth in Canada, Budget 2006

proposes to:
• Increase the amount of small business income eligible for the reduced
federal tax rate to $400,000 from the current limit of $300,000, as of
January 1, 2007.
• Reduce the current 12-per-cent income tax rate applying to qualifying
small business income to 11.5 per cent in 2008 and 11 per cent in 2009.
It is estimated that these changes will reduce government revenues by

$10 million in 2006–07 and $80 million in 2007–08.
Improving the Tax Treatment of Capital Gains for Fishers

When individual fishers sell or transfer their fishing assets, they are not
currently eligible for the $500,000 lifetime capital gains exemption (LCGE)
that is available for farm property and small business shares. Further, they
cannot defer tax on transfers of fishing assets during their lifetime to their
children or grandchildren.
Budget 2006 proposes to allow individual fishers to transfer fishing

property (including fishing licences or shares of a fishing corporation) to
their children without triggering a tax liability at the time of transfer.
This budget also proposes to extend the $500,000 LCGE to fishers.
These measures, which will apply to dispositions occurring on or after

May 2, 2006, will provide relief to fishers when they sell or transfer their
property, allowing them to benefit from the same capital gains tax treatment
as farmers. These measures could benefit over 40,000 Canadian fishers.
The estimated cost of these measures is $60 million in each of 2006–07

and 2007–08.
Repealing the Excise Tax On Jewellery

Budget 2006 proposes to repeal the excise tax on jewellery effective
May 2, 2006.
Originally conceived as a tax on luxury goods, this characterization is no

longer valid. Jewellery is available at all price levels and is purchased by a
wide range of Canadian households. Repeal of the excise tax will recognize
this and ensure that the Canadian jewellery industry is able to compete on a
fair and equitable basis with other retail and manufacturing businesses in
Canada. It will also serve to reduce the compliance burden on the jewellery
industry, a particular benefit to small businesses.
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It is estimated that this measure will reduce federal revenues by

Reducing Excise Duties for Canadian Vintners

and Small Brewers
Budget 2006 proposes to support the Canadian wine industry by providing
excise duty relief to wines made from 100-per-cent Canadian-grown
product. Excise duty reductions for small brewers are also proposed. These
measures will help the competitiveness of small and medium-sized vintners
and brewers.
To provide the time necessary for administrative transition, these

measures will be effective July 1, 2006. Further details on the application
of these provisions are set out in Annex 3.
It is estimated that these measures will reduce federal revenues by

Eliminating the Double Taxation

of Large Corporation Dividends
Income earned at the corporate level is subject to both corporate income
tax and, on distribution as dividends to individuals, personal income tax.
The personal income tax system provides relief from this “double taxation”
through the gross-up and the dividend tax credit system. This system
generally works well when corporate income tax is paid at the small business
rate. When income is taxed at the large business rate, the system does not
provide sufficient relief for taxes paid at the corporate level, and an
element of double taxation remains.
Budget 2006 proposes to eliminate the double taxation of dividends

from large corporations at the federal level. This tax reduction will
encourage savings, investment and economic growth, and will make the
total personal and corporate income tax on earnings distributed as dividends
more comparable to the income tax paid on interest payments and income
trust distributions.
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The Taxation of Dividend Income

The personal income tax system, through the gross-up and dividend tax
credit (DTC), currently provides recognition for corporate taxes paid based
on a 20-per-cent combined federal-provincial rate, which is intended to
approximate the small business tax rate. The existing gross-up is
25 per cent, and the existing federal DTC is 131⁄3 per cent of the grossed-up
amount. Because the federal-provincial corporate income tax rate is higher
than 20 per cent for large corporations, the personal and corporate income
tax on earnings they distribute as dividends can be higher than that paid on
interest payments and income trust distributions.
Generally, dividends paid after 2005 by large Canadian corporations will

be eligible for an enhanced gross-up and DTC. Specifically, shareholders
will include 145 per cent of the eligible dividend amount in income (that is,
a 45 per-cent gross-up), and the federal DTC with respect to eligible
dividends will be approximately 19 per cent of that grossed-up amount,
reflecting the 19-per-cent general corporate tax rate that will apply
beginning in 2010.
Table 3.5
Eliminating Double Taxation of Dividends
Dividends paid by Interest and
large corporations taxable distributions
Previous New of income trusts
(dollars)
A. Income 100 100 100
B. Corporate income tax1 32 32 0
C. Amount distributed to investor 68 68 100
D. Amount included in income 85 99 100
E. Personal income tax (46%2 of D) 39 46 46
F. Dividend tax credit (17) (32)3 0
G. Net personal income tax 22 14 46
H. Total tax paid (B + G) 54 46 46
1 The combined average federal-provincial corporate income tax rate in 2010.
2 The average top federal-provincial personal income tax rate.
3 Assumes that the provinces and territories increase their dividend tax credits for eligible dividends
to equal their general corporate income tax rates.
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It is estimated that this change will reduce government revenues by

Extending the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit

for Flow-Through Share Investors
In October 2000, a 15-per-cent tax credit was introduced to help
moderate the impact of a global downturn in mineral exploration on
mining communities by promoting exploration. This tax incentive,
available to individuals investing in flow-through shares used to finance
exploration, expired on December 31, 2005.
Budget 2006 proposes to reintroduce the credit for the period from
May 2, 2006 until March 31, 2007. The one-year “look-back” rule will
allow funds raised with the benefit of the credit in 2007, for example, to
be spent on eligible exploration activity up until the end of 2008. Although
market conditions for exploration are now strong, reintroduction of the
credit for a limited period will solidify recent exploration gains and help
establish a strong base from which to move forward.
The net fiscal cost of this extension is estimated at $65 million over the
next two fiscal years.
Modifying the Minimum Tax

on Financial Institutions
The federal government currently levies a capital tax on financial institutions
at a rate of 1 per cent on taxable capital employed in Canada between
$200 million and $300 million, and at a rate of 1.25 per cent on taxable
capital employed in Canada in excess of $300 million. This tax is a
minimum tax and, as such, a financial institution can reduce its federal
capital tax payable by the amount of federal income tax it pays.
In addition to accelerating the elimination of the federal capital tax,

the Government is proposing to modify the minimum tax on financial
institutions to reflect the growth of financial institutions since the tax was
introduced. This budget proposes that, effective July 1, 2006, a single tax
rate of 1.25 per cent apply on taxable capital employed in Canada over
$1 billion.
It is estimated that this change will reduce government revenues by

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Extending the Carry-Forward Period for Non-Capital

Losses and Investment Tax Credits
The income tax system allows firms to carry over losses in order to reduce
the impact of fluctuations in income from year to year on tax liability.
Similarly, unused investment tax credits (ITCs) can be carried over to other
years so as to preserve the incentive effect of the credits for businesses that
are not profitable. Currently, firms can carry their non-capital losses and
ITCs backward up to three years and forward up to 10 years. However, in
some cases businesses are not able to use up these losses and ITCs within
the current carry-over period—this is particularly true for start-ups and
research-intensive firms.
Budget 2006 proposes to extend the carry-forward period for non-capital

losses and unused ITCs to 20 years, increasing the likelihood that firms will
be able to apply these losses and ITCs against future tax liabilities. The
measure is proposed to apply to losses incurred and credits earned in
taxation years that end after 2005.
This measure will have no fiscal impact in 2006–07 or 2007–08.
Promoting Education, Training and Research

In today’s knowledge-based economy, a more educated and skilled labour
force is key to Canada’s competitiveness in the world. Government
investments in education and training are therefore critical to productivity
and economic growth. Budget 2006 proposes that federal support for
education and training be increased significantly.
Introducing a New Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit

The difficulty Canadian employers have in finding skilled tradespeople is
becoming an impediment to economic growth. Meanwhile, many young
Canadians find themselves stuck in low-paying work, and are either not
encouraged to consider the trades or unable to do so because of
financial barriers.
To encourage employers to hire new apprentices, Budget 2006 proposes

a new Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit, effective May 2, 2006. As a
result, eligible employers will receive a tax credit equal to 10 per cent of the
wages paid to qualifying apprentices in the first two years of their contract,
to a maximum credit of $2,000 per apprentice per year.

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Introducing a New $1,000 Apprenticeship Grant

In addition to current federal support provided to apprentices through the
Employment Insurance program, a new Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
program will be established effective January 1, 2007. The program will
provide a cash grant of $1,000 per year to apprentices in the first two years
of an apprenticeship program in one of the Red Seal trades and other
economically strategic apprenticeship programs. This grant will be
included in computing the income of the recipient for tax purposes.
The Government of Canada will be consulting with provinces and

territories, employers and unions to best determine which other
apprenticeship programs will be included in the program. Their views
will also be sought concerning how to deliver the grant. This grant for
apprentices, together with the proposed tax credit for employers, will
provide a strong incentive for more young Canadians to pursue
apprenticeships and hence meet the future need for skilled tradespeople
that is crucial to the sustained growth of the economy. The cost of this
new Apprenticeship Incentive Grant program, under the auspices of the
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, is estimated to
be $125 million over 2006–07 and 2007–08.
It is estimated that about 100,000 apprentices will benefit as a result

of the new grant and tax credit.
Recognizing Tradespeople’s Tool Expenses

Many employed tradespeople must provide their own tools as a condition
of employment. The lack of tax recognition for the cost of these tools
may contribute to the difficulties employers experience in finding
skilled tradespeople.
The new Canada Employment Credit will provide relief on the first
$1,000 of employment income, in recognition of expenses incurred by
employees. Budget 2006 proposes a new deduction of up to $500 to
tradespeople for the cost of tools in excess of $1,000 that they must
acquire as a condition of employment.
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Example
A tradesperson earning $60,000 with $1,500 in tools expenses in 2007
will be able to claim the new Canada Employment Credit on $1,000 and
deduct $500 under the new tools deduction. The two measures will reduce
federal income taxes by $265.
The tools deduction and the Canada Employment Credit together will
provide tax relief to about 700,000 employed tradespeople.
Budget 2006 also proposes to increase to $500 from $200 the limit on
the cost of tools eligible for the 100-per-cent capital cost deduction. This
measure will provide tax relief and reduce red tape for self-employed
tradespeople and small businesses.
These measures will be effective for tools acquired on or after

May 2, 2006. It is estimated that these measures will reduce federal
revenues by $75 million in 2006–07 and $80 million in 2007–08.
Introducing a New Textbook Tax Credit

A new non-refundable tax credit will be put in place effective for 2006 and
subsequent taxation years to provide better tax recognition for the cost of
textbooks for students. The textbook tax credit amount will be $65 for each
month of full-time post-secondary study and $20 for each month of part-
time post-secondary study. A full-time student enrolled for eight months
will qualify for a textbook tax credit amount of $520 for the year—
representing a tax reduction of about $80. The measure will provide
benefits to about 1.9 million post-secondary students. Eligibility rules
will be the same as those for the education tax credit.

Exempting All Post-Secondary Education Scholarship

and Bursary Income From Tax
Post-secondary students need to be supported for their hard work in
pursuit of academic excellence. Currently, the first $3,000 in scholarship,
fellowship and bursary income received by a post-secondary student is not
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taxed. Budget 2006 proposes to fully exempt these sources of income

from tax, effective for the 2006 and subsequent taxation years. This
measure will help foster academic excellence by providing tax relief to
more than 100,000 post-secondary students.

Example
Dwight is a full-time student in Ontario, completing a Ph.D. in Electrical
Engineering. He received a $15,000 scholarship and also earned an
additional $10,000 in 2007 by working as a teaching assistant.
As a result of the full exemption on scholarship and bursary income,

and the introduction of the new textbook tax credit, he will save $675
in federal income tax.
Investing in Post-Secondary Education Infrastructure

In order to help provinces and territories provide high-quality post-
secondary education, the Government is providing a one-time payment of
$1 billion, to be paid into a third-party trust, contingent on sufficient funds
from the 2005–06 surplus in excess of $2 billion. The Post-Secondary
Education Infrastructure Trust will support critical and urgent investments
to promote innovation and accessibility, particularly investments that
will enhance universities’ and colleges’ infrastructure and equipment
(e.g. modernizing classrooms and laboratories; updating training
equipment), as well as related institutional services (e.g. enhancing library
and distance-learning technologies).
Pending confirmation in the fall of the Government of Canada’s final

financial results for 2005–06, funding will be distributed on a per capita
basis to provinces and territories and notionally allocated over two years.
More details can be found in the section entitled “Restoring Fiscal Balance
in Canada”.
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Improving the Canada Student Loans Program

Currently, post-secondary students from middle-income families may
be eligible for full or partial Canada Student Loans, depending on their
needs assessment and the number of siblings attending post-secondary
education. The Government of Canada is committed to making it easier
for these families to send their children to college or university. By
expanding eligibility for Canada Student Loans through a reduction in
the parental contribution that is expected from them, the Government
will provide enhanced direct assistance where it is needed most—in the
hands of students.
It is estimated that such an improvement would enable an additional

30,000 students from families with incomes in the $65,000 to $140,000
range to gain access to student assistance. It would also enable 25,000
current student borrowers to increase the amount of the loans they receive.
Design and implementation of the measure will be done in consultation

with the provinces with a view to taking effect in the loan year beginning
August 2007. To this end, Budget 2006 sets aside $15 million for 2007–08
and $20 million per year thereafter.
Investing in Research and Development

Scientific research and technological development are essential for higher
productivity and a rising standard of living. The Government of Canada’s
support through the Indirect Costs of Research program and the three
federal granting councils, as well as investments in leading-edge equipment
and facilities through the Canada Foundation for Innovation, contributes
to the training of highly skilled graduates, as well as to new discoveries
that strengthen health care and help companies seize new business
opportunities. These investments are significant, with the Indirect Costs
of Research program receiving $260 million per year, and core funding
for the three granting councils totalling close to $1.6 billion per year.
The Government has also provided $3.65 billion to date to the Canada
Foundation for Innovation in support of research infrastructure.
Building on these resources, Budget 2006 provides an additional

$100 million per year as follows:
• $40 million per year for the Indirect Costs of Research program.
• $20 million per year for the Leaders Opportunity Fund of the Canada
Foundation for Innovation.
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• $17 million per year for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
• $17 million per year for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council of Canada.
• $6 million per year for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research
Council of Canada.
Over the coming year, the Minister of Industry will be developing a

science and technology strategy, in collaboration with the Minister of
Finance, that will encompass the broad range of government support for
research, including knowledge infrastructure. The Government will also
undertake a review of the accountability and value for money of the
granting councils’ activities.
Support for Opportunity in

Primary Economic Sectors
Improving Farm Support Programs
Our farmers feed Canadians and the world, and in doing so provide a
strong economic foundation for our rural communities. Over the past years,
Canadian farmers have shown their continued resilience in facing challenges
such as animal disease, bad weather and difficult market conditions, which
have impaired their ability to make a decent livelihood from agriculture. In
support of our farmers and farming communities, one of this government’s
first actions in February 2006 was to disburse, on an accelerated basis,
payments under the $755-million Grains and Oilseeds Payment Program.
This government has committed to provide an additional $500 million

per year for farm support and to work with farmers and other partners
towards securing a more prosperous future for this sector. This budget
delivers on the commitment to new funding, but goes further and
announces an additional one-time investment of $1 billion in 2006–07
to assist farmers in the transition to new programming.
The Government has committed to replace the Canadian Agricultural

Income Stabilization (CAIS) program with more effective programming for
farm income stabilization and disaster relief. The Government is consulting
with producers and the provinces and territories to replace CAIS with new
programming cost-shared on a 60:40 basis between the federal and
provincial-territorial governments. In an immediate move towards more
85
effective programming, the Government will provide one-time funding to

shift the inventory valuation method under CAIS to make the program
more responsive, and put in place deeper loss coverage, cost-shared with
provinces and territories. In support of improved disaster coverage, the
Government will also implement a Cover Crop Protection Program to help
farmers deal with the damage caused by flooding of their fields.
In support of the future competitiveness and prosperity of the industry,

the Government will invest in ongoing measures, including the
enhancement of cash advance programming, new investments in biomass
science and funding in support of a biofuels strategy, and new programming
to support the agri-food industry in developing new market opportunities.
In recognition of their unique challenge, the Government will also put in
place measures to help low-income farm families.
In total, Budget 2006 provides an incremental $1.5 billion for the farm
sector in the current fiscal year.
Assisting the Forestry Industry

Along with firms in other natural resource sectors, companies across Canada
in the forestry sector recognize that they must become more efficient and
productive through restructuring and new capital investments to boost
productivity. The forestry sector has faced a range of challenges in recent
years, from the softwood lumber dispute with the United States to the
ongoing mountain pine beetle infestation in British Columbia. In this
budget, the Government is meeting its commitment to help combat the
pine beetle infestation, strengthen the long-term competitiveness of
the industry, and support worker adjustment, with an investment of
$400 million over the next two years.
The impact of the long-running softwood lumber dispute has been felt
most acutely by Canada’s forestry industry, but its negative effects have
begun to cast a shadow over the broader Canada–U.S. trading relationship.
Ending this dispute has therefore been a key priority of Canadian industry,
provinces and this federal government. Working with the United States, this
government has achieved an agreement-in-principle to bring an end to this
dispute, terminate the cycle of litigation, secure U.S. market access for
Canadian producers, and return stability to an industry weakened by
more than 20 years of trade action.
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Facilitating Labour Market Adjustment

Canada benefits from a skilled and adaptable workforce that is able to
respond to changing circumstances that are a natural result of a dynamic,
growing economy. In support of this adjustment, the Government of
Canada focuses its labour market policies and programs on providing
workers with the skills they need to adapt to these changes. However,
older workers sometimes face particular challenges in adapting to changing
labour market circumstances. To that end, the Government will conduct,
in partnership with provinces and territories, a feasibility study to evaluate
current and potential measures to address the challenges faced by displaced
older workers, including the need for improved training and enhanced
income support, such as early retirement benefits.
Other Actions to Support Opportunity

Assisting Communities Affected
by the Mackenzie Gas Project
The Mackenzie Gas Project—a proposed $7.5-billion natural gas field and
pipeline development in the Northwest Territories—is currently engaged in
public hearings; a regulatory decision is expected next year and natural gas
could begin to flow as early as 2011. This unique basin-opening project is
already impacting the economy of the Northwest Territories and, over the
next 20 years, has the potential to transform the business and employment
prospects of Northerners and Aboriginal communities.
A project of this scale in the Northwest Territories will create social

and economic pressures on Northern communities directly impacted by
the construction and operation of the pipeline. In order to mitigate the
negative socio-economic costs of the project, and in light of the significant
federal royalty revenues to be generated by the project, the Government of
Canada will establish a $500-million fund. Over the next 10 years, this fund
will be used to support initiatives from local communities to mitigate any
negative socio-economic effects arising from the Mackenzie Gas Project.
Funding will be linked to project milestones and is conditional on the
project moving forward.
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Completing the 2006 Review of

Financial Institutions Statutes
The financial sector is a key industry of the Canadian economy. It employs
600,000 people in good, well-paying jobs, many in the Greater Toronto
Area, and represents 6 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product. The
Government is committed to ensuring that the regulations governing this
sector are current and effective.
The Government will publish a white paper on the 2006 review of

financial institutions statutes this spring, with legislation to be tabled in
Parliament this fall. To provide Parliament with sufficient time to consider
this important legislation, the Government will extend the sunset date for
the financial institutions statutes by six months, from October 24, 2006
to April 24, 2007.
Fostering Competition in the

Mortgage Insurance Market
The Government currently promotes mortgage financing through a
program that provides a government guarantee for companies that insure
mortgage loans. This program has contributed to a competitive mortgage
insurance market and more affordable housing for Canadians.
The Government is confirming arrangements that would allow new

players entering the mortgage insurance market to gain access to that
facility, and is also increasing the amount of business that can be covered
under the Government’s authority from $100 billion to $200 billion in
order to keep pace with the increase in housing prices and the growth in
the mortgage market. These changes will result in greater choice and
innovation in the market for mortgage insurance, benefiting consumers
and promoting home ownership.
Reducing the Paperwork Burden

on Small Business
Small business provides much of the dynamism and entrepreneurial drive
in our economy. When small business people have time and resources to
devote to their firms, more jobs are created and our economy prospers. It
is the responsibility of government to ensure that regulations are designed
efficiently, so that the goals of regulation are met at the least cost to our
entrepreneurs. According to a recent study by the Canadian Federation of
Independent Business, the annual cost for business to comply with
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regulations is at least $33 billion. Reducing this cost is a priority. Possible

options are currently being studied by the joint private sector–public sector
Advisory Committee on Paperwork Burden Reduction.
One promising project is the BizPaL (Business Permits and Licences)

initiative, which brings together federal, provincial-territorial and municipal
governments to streamline and harmonize permit and licence requirements.
In jurisdictions where BizPaL is established—such as in Kamloops, British
Columbia, where it was launched in April 2006—a business person wanting,
for example, to start a restaurant will be able to get a customized list of all
permits and licences required from all orders of government and the
sequence in which they are required. Budget 2006 provides $6 million over
two years to accelerate expansion of the BizPaL initiative.
Looking Forward: A More Competitive,

Productive Canada
The global economy is in the midst of a profound restructuring. The rapid
emergence of China and India as major economic powers, the development
of global supply chains and the continued integration of global capital
markets are collectively creating both tremendous opportunities and major
challenges for Canadians and Canadian business.
Canada starts from an enviable position. It is one of the wealthiest

countries in the world—a position built on the creativity and drive of
Canadians, a rich natural resource base, the vision of Canadian researchers,
and the dynamism of Canadian business. Canada’s current economic
prospects are strong, with unemployment at its lowest rate in over 30 years,
record personal income, and business profitability at an all-time high.
Yet as many Canadians know, these impressive figures mask deeper,

difficult adjustments. For example, more than half of current Canadian jobs
did not exist in 1997, demonstrating the degree of change constantly
occurring in the economy. New immigrants, Aboriginal people and persons
with disabilities remain under-represented in our workforce. Canada’s
manufacturing sector is under pressure, losing more than 8 per cent of its
jobs over the past 312⁄ years. In fact, as markets globalize, all sectors—
primary, manufacturing and services—will face increasing competitive
pressures from both emerging market countries and fast-moving
industrialized economies.
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Another structural change that will affect Canada in coming decades is

population aging. Canada has benefited over recent years from more and
more of its population being in the workforce. This will not continue. From
around 2010, the trend share of Canada’s population in the workforce will
begin to decline as increasing numbers of baby boomers retire. And
demographic change will not only affect our economic potential, but it
will also exert pressures on public pension and health care expenditures.
Part of the response to these dynamics must be to increase Canadian

productivity, which lags behind that of the United States and most other
major economies. Improving productivity is not an end in itself. It will help
all Canadians realize their full potential, lead to more and better jobs, and
provide the resources to build a better Canada. Higher productivity will
raise the standard of living of Canadians and will help governments to
invest in the priorities of Canadians including health care, education,
security and communities.
The Government highlighted this imperative in the Speech from

the Throne:
“Over the course of its mandate… the Government will work
diligently to build a record of results. It will promote a more
competitive, more productive Canadian economy.”
Speech from the Throne, April 4, 2006
This budget proposes a number of significant, initial measures to build

a more competitive, productive Canada. In particular, the budget:
• Strengthens Canada’s fiscal position by:
– Improving accountability.
– Restraining the growth of program spending and implementing
changes necessary to ensure that programs are effective, efficient and
focused on results, provide value for taxpayers’ money and are aligned
with the Government’s priorities.
– Planning for annual debt reduction of $3 billion.
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• Improves incentives for Canadians to enter and stay in

the workforce, by proposing significant, broad-based tax
reductions, including:
– A new $1,000 Canada Employment Credit.
– A permanent reduction in the lowest tax rate to 15.5 per cent
from 16 per cent.
– Increases in the basic personal amount.
• Reduces taxes on small businesses by:
– Lowering the small business income tax rate.
– Increasing the amount of small business income eligible for the
reduced federal tax rate.
• Creates an environment for jobs and growth by increasing the
statutory tax rate advantage for Canadian businesses over American
businesses by:
– Accelerating the elimination the federal capital tax.
– Reducing the general corporate income tax rate.
– Eliminating the corporate surtax.
• Commits to achieving a meaningful marginal effective tax rate
advantage for Canada over the U.S., so that the overall burden of
business taxes on investments in Canada is lower than in the U.S.
• Supports competitiveness in the primary sector through measures for
agriculture and the forestry industry, two sectors that are experiencing
extraordinary difficulties.
• Makes major investments in infrastructure, including border
infrastructure to further integrate the North American market.
• Provides significant support for education and training by:
– Improving tax assistance for education.
– Investing in post-secondary infrastructure.
– Improving the Canada Student Loans Program.
– Proposing a new tax credit and a new grant for apprentices.
– Investing in research and development.
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• Provides increased support for immigrant settlement and foreign

credential recognition.
• Proposes concrete discussions with provinces towards a more
collaborative management of the federation and the creation of a
stronger economic union.
The Government will pursue a broad approach over the coming year—
building on the targeted measures proposed in this budget—to develop
a strong, results-focused agenda to promote a more competitive,
productive Canada for the benefit of all Canadians.
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Table 3.6
Opportunity—Tax Relief and Investments
2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 Total
Tax Relief for all Canadians
Reducing the GST rate to 6%1 3,520 5,170 8,690
Reducing the bottom personal income tax rate 3,225 1,670 1,370 6,265
Increasing the basic personal amount 1,740 1,080 500 3,320
Recognizing the employment expenses
of working Canadians 890 1,815 2,705
Subtotal 4,965 7,160 8,855 20,980
Creating Jobs and Growing
Canada’s Economy
Accelerating the elimination of the federal capital tax 795 225 1,020
Reducing taxes for small businesses 10 80 90
Improving the tax treatment of capital gains for fishers 60 60 120
Repealing the excise tax on jewellery 45 35 80
Reducing excise duties for Canadian
vintners and small brewers 15 20 35
Eliminating the double taxation of large
corporation dividends 375 310 685
Extending the mineral exploration tax credit
for flow-through share investors2 90 -25 65
Modifying the minimum tax on financial institutions 15 30 45
Subtotal 1,405 735 2,140
Promoting Education, Training and Research
Introducing a new apprenticeship job creation tax credit 190 200 390
Introducing a new $1,000 apprenticeship grant 25 100 125
Recognizing tradespeople’s tool expenses 75 80 155
Introducing a new textbook tax credit 135 125 260
Exempting all PSE scholarship and bursary
income from tax 50 45 95
Improving the Canada Student Loans program 15 15
Investing in research and development 100 100 200
Subtotal 575 665 1,240
Support for Opportunity in Primary
Economic Sectors
Improving farm support programs 755 1,500 500 2,755
Assisting the forestry industry 200 200 400
Subtotal 755 1,700 700 3,155
Other Actions to Support Opportunity
Assisting communities affected by
the Mackenzie Gas Project3 60 60 120
BizPaL 3 3 6
Subtotal 63 63 126
Total 5,720 10,903 11,018 27,641
1 Includes adjustments to tobacco and alcohol excise levies.
2 Negative amounts increase government revenues.
3 Funding included in the initiatives announced before the Update and confirmed by the Government
(Table 4.2). The net new cost of Opportunity measures is $10,843 million in 2006–07 and $10,958 million
in 2007–08.
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FAMILIES AND
COMMUNITIES
Highlights
Budget 2006 provides $5.2 billion over two years in increased
support for Canadians and their families.

$3.7 billion over two years for the Universal Child Care Benefit
(UCCB), which will provide all families with $100 per month
for each child under age 6. The UCCB will not affect federal
income-tested benefits and will be provided as of July 1, 2006.
$250 million to support the creation of new child care spaces.
The goal is to create 25,000 additional spaces each year.
Other Family Measures

A children’s fitness tax credit for up to $500 in eligible fees
for physical fitness programs for each child under age 16.
Assistance for persons with disabilities will be enhanced by:
– Increasing the maximum annual Child Disability Benefit
(CDB) to $2,300 from $2,044, effective July 2006.
– Extending eligibility for the CDB to middle- and higher-
income families caring for a child who is eligible for the
disability tax credit, effective July 2006.
– Boosting the maximum amount of the refundable medical
expense supplement to $1,000 from $767, effective 2006.
$52 million per year for the Canadian Strategy for Cancer
Control.
Increasing to $2,000 the maximum amount eligible for the
pension income credit, effective 2006. This will benefit nearly
2.7 million taxpayers with pension income and will remove
96

Budget 2006 provides almost $3 billion over two years to help make
our communities better places to live.
Immigration Measures
Reducing the Right of Permanent Residence Fee from $975 to
$490, effective immediately.
Increasing immigration settlement funding by $307 million and
taking steps towards the establishment of a Canadian agency for
the assessment and recognition of foreign credentials.
Affordable Housing
Confirming up to $800 million to provinces and territories to
address immediate pressures in affordable housing.
$450 million for improving water supply and housing on reserve,
education outcomes, and socio-economic conditions for
Aboriginal women, children and families.
Confirming up to $300 million to provinces to address immediate
pressures in off-reserve Aboriginal housing, and up to
$300 million to territories for affordable housing in the North.
Environment
A tax credit for the purchase of monthly public transit passes,
effective July 1, 2006.
Accelerating the capital cost allowance for forestry bioenergy.
Infrastructure
$5.5 billion over four years for a new Highways and Border
Infrastructure Fund, Canada’s Pacific Gateway Initiative, the
Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Municipal Rural
Infrastructure Fund and a Public Transit Capital Trust.
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Other Measures
Exempting donations of publicly listed securities to public
charities from capital gains tax, effective immediately.
Exempting donations of ecologically sensitive land made under
the Ecogift program from capital gains tax, also effective
immediately.
$50 million to the Canada Council for the Arts.
Providing temporary solvency funding relief to help re-establish
full funding of federally regulated defined benefit pension
plans in an orderly fashion, with safeguards for promised
pension benefits.
98

Introduction
The Government recognizes the important contribution families
and communities make to the country’s well-being, and is committed
to meeting the needs and interests of families and building stronger
communities.
Families
Strong families are the cornerstone of a sound and prosperous society and
are key to ensuring a bright future for Canada.
However, Canadian families are changing and face many new challenges.
Work arrangements for both men and women are more complex and varied
than ever before. In particular, families with young children must strike a
difficult balance between work and family life. Families are also concerned
about income security for their elders and having timely access to health
care when they need it.
In response, government programs and policies must evolve in order to

provide more choice and flexibility to individuals and families in a way that
reflects their different needs and circumstances.
Core Priority: Providing Choice in Child Care

One of the most important investments governments can make is to
support families as they raise their children. That is why Budget 2006
announces the kind of investments that will make a real difference to
parents, by providing more choice in child care for families with
young children. As a result of these budget measures, total direct federal
support to families will be approximately $11.7 billion for the 2006–07
benefit year, with the vast majority of benefits directed to low- and
middle-income families.
Budget 2006 proposes to introduce the new Universal Child Care

Benefit (UCCB), to provide all families with $100 per month for each child
under age 6, effective July 1, 2006. Through the proposed UCCB, parents
will be able to choose the child care option that best suits their families’
needs—whether that means formal child care, informal care through
neighbours or relatives, or a parent staying at home.
99
Amounts received under the UCCB will be taxable in the hands of the
lower-income spouse.
All families with a child under the age of 6 will be eligible:

• Families who receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) will receive
the UCCB automatically.
• Families who do not receive the CCTB will be able to apply for the
UCCB by submitting a completed CCTB application form to the
Canada Revenue Agency.
Budget 2006 proposes that amounts received under the UCCB not
reduce benefits paid under the CCTB and the goods and services tax credit.
The UCCB will also not be considered income for the purposes of federal
income-tested programs delivered outside of the income tax system, such as
the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Canada Education Savings Grant,
the Canada Learning Bond and Employment Insurance.
In addition, the UCCB will not reduce the amount that can be claimed
under the child care expense deduction, which recognizes the out-of-pocket
child care costs incurred by families.
With the creation of the UCCB, Budget 2006 proposes to phase out the
existing CCTB under-7 supplement as of June 30, 2006, for children under
the age of 6. The current under-7 supplement will remain in place until
June 30, 2007, for children who turn 6 before that date. This two-stage
phase-out will ensure that once the UCCB is in place, all families currently
receiving the supplement will be at least as well off as they were under
the current system, and that most families will receive significantly
more benefits.
The UCCB will substantially increase federal assistance for children by

providing direct federal support to approximately 1.5 million families and
over 2 million children. Direct federal benefits to families with children will
be provided through the UCCB and two components of the CCTB: the
base benefit, which is targeted to low- and middle-income families, and
the National Child Benefit (NCB) supplement, which provides additional
assistance to low-income families.
100

Table 3.7
Direct Federal Support to Families With Children,
2006–07 Benefit Year1
Family NCB CCTB base
net Income supplement benefit2 UCCB3 Total
Below $50,000 3.6 4.0 1.2 8.8

$50,000 – $100,000 0 1.5 0.9 2.4
Over $100,000 0 0.1 0.4 0.5
Total 3.6 5.6 2.5 11.7

1 Benefit year from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.
2 The amounts shown in respect of the CCTB base benefit reflect the proposed phase-out of the CCTB
under-7 supplement.
3 Does not include savings from rolling the CCTB under-7 supplement into the UCCB.
Chart 3.7 shows net direct federal benefits received by a typical

two-earner family with two children at different income levels from
the UCCB, the CCTB base benefit and the NCB supplement:
• A family with an income of $20,000 will receive over $7,300
in net benefits.
• A family with an income of $50,000 will receive over $2,800
in net benefits.
• A family with an income of $100,000 will receive over $800
in net benefits.
101
Chart 3.7
Net Direct Federal Benefits, 2006–07 Benefit Year
Typical Two-Earner Ontario Couple With Children Aged 4 and 10
net benefits received (dollars)
9,000
8,000
7,309
7,000 UCCB 1,1341
6,000
CCTB
5,000 base
2,510
benefit
4,000
2,836
3,000
UCCB 8711
NCB
2,000
supplement 3,665 CCTB
base 8261
1,000
benefit 1,965 UCCB
0
20,000 50,000 100,000
Family income (dollars)
1
The UCCB is shown net of federal and provincial income tax.
The UCCB will be universal and it will provide direct financial

support to low-income families with young children without increasing
the disincentives to work that arise due to the income-tested nature of
some benefits.
The introduction of the UCCB and elimination of the CCTB under-7

supplement will have a federal cost of about $1.6 billion in 2006–07 and
$2.1 billion in 2007–08.
102

Supporting the Creation of

New Child Care Spaces
The availability of quality child care is a challenge for many working
parents—a challenge the Government aims to address in cooperation
with provinces and territories, employers and community non-profit
organizations.
To support the creation of child care spaces, this budget sets aside
$250 million per year, beginning in 2007–08. The Government will consult
to ensure that assistance is effective in creating additional child care spaces,
responsive to the needs of parents and administered in an efficient and
accountable manner. Key issues for these consultations will include:
• Different delivery approaches that could be used to provide support,
such as grants or tax credits and how to best deliver assistance
to tax-exempt organizations.
• The unique needs of small businesses and rural communities, as well
as large businesses and cities.
• The types of start-up and equipment costs associated with creating child
care spaces through new facilities or the expansion of existing facilities
that should be eligible for the assistance.
Further information on the consultation process will be provided

following the budget.
Finally, consistent with the provisions of the existing Early Learning and
Child Care (ELCC) agreements with provinces, which allow for their
termination upon one year’s notice by either party, the Government
indicated in February 2006 that it is phasing out the agreements at the end
of March 2007. The Government will provide $650 million in 2006–07 to
all provinces and territories, to be distributed on an equal per capita basis.
103
Promoting Physical Fitness Among Children

Studies show that regular physical activity has many positive effects on
children, including healthier growth and development and improved
physical fitness. At the same time, the escalating costs of organized sports
makes it difficult for many parents to afford these activities.
To promote physical fitness among children, Budget 2006 proposes to

introduce a children’s fitness tax credit, effective January 1, 2007. The
credit will be provided on up to $500 of eligible fees for programs of
physical activity for each child under age 16. In the coming months, the
Government will establish a small group of experts in health and physical
fitness to provide advice on the programs of physical activity that should
be eligible for the credit.

Hosting International Sport Events

The Government is committed to developing a new policy to guide decisions
on hosting international amateur sport events in Canada. Hosting
international sporting events has significant social, cultural and economic
benefits. A new hosting policy framework will assist governments and the
sports community to plan ahead and systematically maximize these benefits.
Enhancing Assistance for Persons With Disabilities

In April 2003, the Technical Advisory Committee on Tax Measures for
Persons with Disabilities was established to provide advice on how to
address issues related to tax measures for persons with disabilities.
The committee released its final report, Disability Tax Fairness, in

December 2004. It made 25 policy and administrative recommendations
focusing on three key areas:
• Eligibility criteria for the disability tax credit (DTC), including
extending eligibility for the credit and recommendations to improve
its administration.
104

• Recognition of expenses incurred to pursue employment or education,

including the creation and expansion of a disability supports deduction
and an increase in the maximum amount of the refundable medical
expense supplement.
• Measures for caregivers and children with disabilities, including an
increase in the maximum Child Disability Benefit.
This government endorses the work of this committee. Budget 2006

therefore proposes to fully implement their policy recommendations and go
beyond by:
• Increasing the maximum annual Child Disability Benefit (CDB) to
$2,300 from $2,044 effective July 2006. The CDB is a supplement
of the CCTB payable in respect of children in low- and modest-income
families who meet the eligibility criteria for the DTC.
• Extending eligibility for the CDB to middle- and higher-income families
caring for a DTC-eligible child, including virtually all families that are
currently eligible for the CCTB base benefit, effective July 2006.
• Increasing the maximum amount of the refundable medical expense
supplement (RMES) to $1,000 from $767 for the 2006 taxation year.
The RMES improves work incentives for Canadians with disabilities by
helping to offset the loss of coverage for medical and disability-related
expenses under social assistance when recipients move into the
labour force.
Enhancements to the CDB will increase the benefits paid to all families
currently receiving the CDB, and will extend eligibility for the CDB to over
95 per cent of families caring for children with severe disabilities. It is
estimated that these enhancements will provide benefits of $35 million in
2006–07 and $45 million in 2007–08.
Increasing the maximum amount of the RMES will provide benefits

of $15 million in 2006–07 and $10 million in 2007–08 for Canadians
with disabilities.
An important consideration for parents and grandparents of a child

with severe disabilities is how best to ensure the financial security of their
child, when they are no longer able to provide support. The Minister of
Finance will appoint a small group of experts to examine ways to help
parents save for the long-term financial security of a child with severe
disabilities, and provide their recommendations to the Minister within
six months.
105
Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control

Cancer is a major health issue for Canadians. Every year, hundreds of
thousands of Canadians are diagnosed with or die of cancer. It affects not
only those with cancer, but also their families, friends and colleagues.
As well, this disease affects all Canadians in terms of the economy and
communities, and in increased health care costs.
This budget provides $52 million per year to the Public Health Agency
of Canada and Health Canada to allow them to work with partners towards
implementing the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control. The Canadian
Strategy for Cancer Control was developed by non-governmental cancer
organizations in collaboration with the federal government, provinces
and territories.
This investment will help improve screening, prevention and research

activities, and enhance coordination among the federal government, cancer
advocacy groups, and the provinces and territories.
Pensions—Providing Greater Tax Relief

to Pensioners
A deduction for the first $1,000 in eligible pension income was introduced
in 1975. The deduction was converted to a non-refundable credit in the
1987 tax reform. The maximum amount of pension income that can be
claimed under this measure has been left unchanged at $1,000 since
its introduction.
To provide greater tax assistance to those who have saved for their
retirement, Budget 2006 proposes to increase to $2,000 the maximum
amount of eligible pension income that can be claimed under the pension
income credit, effective for the 2006 and subsequent taxation years. This
measure will benefit nearly 2.7 million taxpayers receiving eligible pension
income—providing up to $155 per pensioner—and will remove

106

Pensions—Private Defined Benefit Plans

Canada has a diversified retirement income system based on a mix
of public and private pensions. The two public pension pillars (Old Age
Security/Guaranteed Income Supplement and the Canada and Quebec
Pension Plans) of Canada’s three-pillar retirement income system ensure a
minimum level of income in retirement for Canadian seniors. The third
pillar, tax-deferred private retirement savings, includes registered retirement
savings plans and registered pension plans. These plans provide Canadians
with incentives to save for retirement and help bridge the gap between
public pension benefits and their retirement income goals.
Most pension plans are either defined contribution (DC) or defined

benefit (DB) plans. Under DC plans, plan sponsors and, in most cases, the
employees, make contributions to an account for each member. Benefits
are based on the contributions plus any investment income, expenses,
gains and losses. Under DB pension plans, employers and employees make
contributions but the level of promised benefits is not a function of
investment income. Instead, employers promise to deliver benefits based
on the employee’s earnings and years of service, providing a predictable
retirement income.
While private pension plans are voluntary, they must generally be registered,
either federally or provincially. One of the main purposes of regulation is
to set out standards for funding and investment of pension plans to ensure
that the rights and interests of pension plan members, retirees and their
beneficiaries are protected. In particular, regulation is intended to ensure
that pension plan assets are sufficient to meet pension plan obligations.
In May 2005, the Department of Finance Canada released the

consultation paper, Strengthening the Legislative and Regulatory Framework
for Defined Benefit Pension Plans Registered Under the Pension Benefits
Standards Act, 1985 to consult on means to enhance benefit security and
the viability of DB pension plans. The Department received a broad range
of views from stakeholders including plan sponsors, labour representatives,
retirees, actuaries and individual Canadians, with many submissions
suggesting that there are structural issues affecting the security and viability
of DB pension plans. Other jurisdictions also share these challenges.
107
In the context of these consultations, stakeholders also stressed that the

funding status of private DB pension plans is a key immediate issue affecting
many workers, retirees and pension plan sponsors. The decline in long-term
interest rates has increased pension liabilities and led to significant solvency
deficits for many plans. A solvency deficit is the amount by which a pension
plan’s liabilities exceed its assets, using certain actuarial calculations. Recent
changes in actuarial standards have further increased the estimated pension
plan liabilities and correspondingly added to pension deficits. Last year, the
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) estimated
that as of June 30, 2005, 72 per cent of federally regulated DB pension
plans had a solvency deficit. OSFI’s estimates revealed that federally
regulated DB pension plans were 91 per cent funded, on average, as at
June 30, 2005, compared to 100 per cent as at December 31, 2004.
The Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 and the Pension Benefits
Standards Regulations, 1985 require solvency deficits to be funded over
five years. Many plan sponsors, while committed to funding their plans,
have raised the concern that the recent large funding requirements are
driving excessive cash flow away from expenditures that could enhance
productivity and competitiveness and benefit the economy more generally.
Some financially vulnerable companies say these obligations are creating
significant financial stress and could affect their ongoing viability.
Ultimately, such challenges may weaken pension plans and benefit security.
The Government will propose four temporary measures to provide

solvency funding relief in response to these difficult circumstances. This will
help re-establish full funding of federally regulated DB pension plans in an
orderly fashion while providing safeguards for promised pension benefits.
The options include:
• Consolidate solvency payment schedules: Plan sponsors will be permitted
to consolidate solvency payment schedules and amortize the entire
solvency deficit existing over a single, new, five-year period. This will have
the effect of smoothing outstanding solvency payment obligations
through five equal payments over the next five years.
• Extend the solvency funding payment to 10 years with buy-in: Plan
sponsors will be permitted to extend the period for making solvency
funding payments to 10 years from 5 years, subject to a condition of
buy-in by plan members and retirees. Plan sponsors will be required to
demonstrate that plan members are fully informed and that no more than
one-third of current plan members or retirees object to the change.
108

• Extend the solvency funding payment to 10 years with letters of credit:

Plan sponsors will be permitted to extend the period for making solvency
funding payments to 10 years when the difference between the 5-year
and 10-year level of payments is secured by a letter of credit. This will
reduce payments for sponsors while protecting pension benefits.
• Extend the solvency funding payment period to 10 years for agent federal
Crown corporations: Agent federal Crown corporations will be permitted
to extend the period for making solvency funding payments to 10 years
subject to terms and conditions that will ensure a level playing field.
The temporary funding relief would only be available to plan sponsors

whose funding payments are up-to-date and only available for the first
valuation report filed with OSFI before 2008. The detailed funding relief
measures and terms and conditions for their application will be set out in
draft regulations that will be pre-published for comment shortly in Part I
of the Canada Gazette.
The Government will continue to monitor DB pension plans, analyze the

submissions from the consultation, and consider further action as necessary.
Communities
Canada’s economic success rests on the strength of its communities.
The Government of Canada is dedicated to making Canadian communities
a better place to work, to learn and to grow.
Budget 2006 will help immigrants join in the economic life of their new
communities by reducing the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, providing
more resources for settlement and integration, and supporting steps to
ensure that skilled immigrants are able to work in their field of expertise.
The Government is working to improve communities by promoting

affordable housing and investing in housing for Aboriginal people living off
reserve and in the territories, where housing pressures are particularly acute.
The Government will consult with Aboriginal leaders and provinces and
territories to develop a new approach to meet the targets agreed upon at
the fall 2005 First Ministers meeting with national Aboriginal leaders.
109
Increased federal support for infrastructure will also contribute to the

economic vitality of communities by helping to ensure that citizens have
access to safe and reliable water systems, that goods can be transferred
efficiently to markets, and that traffic congestion is reduced, contributing to
an improved environment. Additional investments to encourage the use of
public transit will further help communities improve their quality of life.
Finally, enhanced tax assistance for charitable giving will help build a
stronger sense of community across the country.
Helping Immigrants Get Started

Canada has a long tradition of welcoming immigrants. The Government
recognizes the importance of ensuring that newcomers have every possible
opportunity to realize their dreams for the future.
The Right of Permanent Residence Fee

This budget delivers on the Government’s commitment to reduce the
Right of Permanent Residence Fee to help immigrants and their families
with the costs of starting a new life in Canada. The fee will be reduced from
its current level of $975 to $490 effective on May 2, 2006. In addition,
the Government will provide partial refunds to those who have already paid
the $975 fee but have not been granted permanent resident status or have
not yet arrived in Canada. The cost of this initiative in foregone revenue
is $224 million over two years.
Settlement and Integration

Newcomers to Canada often face challenges integrating into a new country,
community and labour market. Settlement and integration programs that
provide services such as language instruction and employment-related
support help immigrants overcome the stresses of moving to a new country.
In keeping with the Government’s commitment to provide additional
resources for settlement and integration, this budget provides $307 million
over two years, over and above investments provided in recent budgets,
to enhance programs and services in all provinces and territories (except
Quebec, which receives funding through a separate immigration
agreement). This additional investment will allow immigrants to adapt
quickly and successfully and have every opportunity to contribute to the
economy and society.
110

Foreign Credential Recognition

Many immigrants to Canada, though well-educated and highly skilled, still
face barriers in obtaining recognition of their qualifications, training and
experience. In this budget, the Government is moving forward on its
commitment to create an agency to ensure foreign-trained immigrants meet
Canadian standards, while getting those who are trained and ready to work
in their fields of expertise into the workforce more quickly.
Under the leadership of the Minister of Human Resources and Social

Development, consultations with the provinces and territories and other
stakeholders are underway on the mandate, structure and governance of
the agency, and the Government will proceed on the basis of the advice
received. To facilitate the consultation process and to take the first steps
toward the establishment of a Canadian agency for assessment and recognition
of credentials, this budget sets aside $18 million over two years.
Increasing the Supply of Affordable Housing

In order to help provinces and territories address short-term pressures
with regard to the supply of affordable housing, the Government is
providing a one-time payment of $800 million, to be paid into a third-party
trust, contingent on sufficient funds from the 2005–06 surplus in excess of
$2 billion. The Affordable Housing Trust will support investments to
increase the supply of affordable housing, including transitional and
supportive housing.
Pending confirmation in fall 2006 of the Government of Canada’s

financial results for 2005–06, funding will be distributed on an equal per
capita basis among provinces and territories, and notionally allocated over
three years. More details can be found in the section entitled “Restoring
Fiscal Balance in Canada”.
Helping Aboriginal Communities

A New Approach
Government of Canada spending on programs directed towards Aboriginal
people, including claims, has increased to $9.1 billion in 2005–06 from
$7.4 billion in 2000–01, an average annual increase of 4.3 per cent. While
federal programs targeted to Aboriginal Canadians have reduced disparities
between Aboriginal people and other Canadians, unacceptable gaps remain.
111
Federal Spending on Aboriginal People

The Government spends approximately $9.1 billion1 each year to fund
programs directed towards Aboriginal people.
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provides about $6.1 billion, of which
about 80 per cent is for basic, province-type services for First Nations on
reserve (e.g. education, social services, income assistance), where the
Government has primary responsibility.
• Fifteen other federal departments and agencies, the largest of which is
Health Canada, also provide about $3.0 billion for a wide variety of
programs for First Nations on reserve, Inuit, Métis and off-reserve
Aboriginal people.
• Over the last five years spending has grown by about 4.3 per cent or
$350 million per year.
1 Sources: 2005–2006 Estimates: Report on Plans and Priorities; Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
The Government is committed to meeting the targets agreed upon at the

fall 2005 First Ministers meeting with national Aboriginal leaders. The way
forward will require a joint commitment by all parties to deal with the root
causes and structural issues causing these socio-economic gaps.
The Government will work with Aboriginal leaders and provinces and
territories to develop a new approach with workable solutions to meet
the established targets. Strong accountability and governance structures
will be essential to ensure concrete improvements in outcomes and to ensure
programs are effective. This budget provides $150 million in 2006–07 and
$300 million in 2007–08 for the following priority areas:
Education: Although Aboriginal students have made significant gains

in educational attainment over the past two decades, the Government is
committed to improving Aboriginal education outcomes as this is key
to eliminating the socio-economic gap.
Women, Children and Families: The Government recognizes the

pivotal roles that Aboriginal women play within their families and their
communities and in improving socio-economic outcomes.
Water and Housing: Aboriginal Canadians living on reserve suffer from

a severe housing shortage and a backlog in the renovation of current units.
112

Many do not have access to clean and safe drinking water. To properly
address these fundamental needs, it is essential to consider innovative
solutions that could help address this chronic situation over the
longer term.
Details concerning initiatives will be provided by the Minister of Indian

Affairs and Northern Development in the coming months.
Addressing the Legacy of Residential Schools

The Government is committed to honouring the Agreement-in-Principle
reached on November 20, 2005, with the legal counsel for former Indian
residential school students, the churches, the Assembly of First Nations
and other Aboriginal organizations.
In anticipation of a final agreement, $2.2 billion has been set aside for
the common experience payments and for other programmatic elements
such as healing and commemoration. In addition, provision has been made
in anticipation of an improved Independent Assessment Process to address
claims of serious abuse in the Indian residential school system, which would
replace the current Dispute Resolution Framework. Compensation through
the Independent Assessment Process would in all cases be paid by the
Government following validation by an independent adjudicator.
The Government believes that this financial recognition of the often

negative impact of the residential school experience, buttressed by support
programs and compensation for those who suffered harm, will help former
students to build a better future for themselves and their families in
communities across Canada. Programs and activities devoted to truth
and reconciliation and commemoration of the residential school experience
should lead to a broader understanding among all Canadians of the impacts
of the Indian residential school system.
Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing

In order to help provinces address short-term pressures with regard to the
housing needs of Aboriginal Canadians living off reserve, the Government
is providing a one-time payment of $300 million, to be paid into a third-
party trust, contingent on sufficient funds from the 2005–06 surplus in
excess of $2 billion. The Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust will
support investments to increase the supply of rental housing and enhance
home ownership opportunities for Aboriginal Canadians living off reserve.
113

financial results for 2005–06, funding will be distributed to provinces based
on their share of the Aboriginal population living off reserve and notionally
allocated over three years.
Affordable Housing in the Territories

The pressures on housing in the territories, where many Aboriginal
Canadians live, are particularly acute. In order to help the territories address
short-term affordable housing pressures, the Government is providing a
one-time payment of $300 million, to be paid into a third-party trust,
contingent on sufficient funds from the 2005–06 surplus in excess of
$2 billion. The Northern Housing Trust will support investments to
increase the supply of affordable housing, including rental, transitional
and supportive housing in the territories.

financial results for 2005–06, funding will be notionally allocated over
three years and distributed among the three territories as follows:
$50 million each for the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut,
plus an additional $150 million for urgent needs in Nunavut.
More details on the two trusts can be found in the section entitled
“Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada.”
In total, Budget 2006 confirms funding of over $3 billion in support of

Aboriginal Canadians.
A new approach: priorities $450 million
• Education
• Women, children and families
• Water and housing
Addressing the legacy of residential schools $2,200 million
Off-reserve Aboriginal housing $300 million
Affordable housing in the territories $300 million
Total $3,250 million
114

Environment
The Government is committed to taking actions that will lead to a cleaner,
healthier environment. Beginning this year, by making major investments in
public transit infrastructure and by providing incentives to encourage its
use, concrete actions will be taken that improve the environment and
improve the lives of Canadians.
Public Transit—Support to Provinces and Territories

Public transit plays an important role in easing traffic congestion in
urban areas, reducing carbon dioxide and other emissions, and making
communities more livable.
The Government will provide $1.3 billion in support of public transit

capital investments.
The Government will accelerate investments in public transit

infrastructure, by making $400 million available to provinces and
territories. To date, nine agreements have been finalized with provinces
and territories regarding this funding, with the balance to be concluded
in coming months.
The Government will also provide a one-time payment of $900 million

to provinces and territories to be paid into a third-party trust, contingent
on sufficient funds being available from the 2005–06 surplus in excess of
$2 billion. The Public Transit Capital Trust will support capital investments
in public transit infrastructure including rapid transit, transit buses,
intelligent transportation systems and other investments including high
occupancy vehicle and bicycle lanes.

financial results for 2005–06, funding will be notionally allocated over three
years and distributed to provinces and territories on an equal per capita
basis. More details on the trust can be found in the section entitled
“Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada”.
The Government expects that provinces and territories will take transit
ridership in the municipalities into account when the funds are disbursed.
115
Table 3.8
Federal Funding for Public Transit
Transit payment Public Transit
(Bill C-66) Capital Trust Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 6.5 14.1 20.6
Prince Edward Island 1.7 3.8 5.5
Nova Scotia 11.7 25.8 37.5
New Brunswick 9.4 20.7 30.1
Quebec 94.4 210.8 305.1
Ontario 155.2 351.5 506.8
Manitoba 14.7 32.6 47.2
Saskatchewan 12.5 27.2 39.6
Alberta 40.1 91.3 131.5
British Columbia 52.5 119.3 171.8
Yukon 0.4 0.9 1.3
Northwest Territories 0.5 1.2 1.7
Nunavut 0.4 0.8 1.2
Total 400 900 1,300
Public Transit—A Tax Credit for Individuals

This government wants to encourage individuals to use public transit.
Increasing public transit use will ease traffic congestion in our urban areas
and improve the environment.
Budget 2006 proposes a tax credit on the purchase cost of monthly

public transit passes, or passes of a longer duration, effective July 1, 2006.
This measure will encourage public transit use by providing $150 million
in 2006–07 and $220 million in 2007–08 in benefits to approximately
2 million Canadians who make a sustained commitment to use this
environmentally friendly mode of transportation. An individual who
purchases passes costing $80 per month throughout the year will receive
up to about $150 in federal tax relief for the year. All transit users,
including commuters, students and seniors, will qualify. The effectiveness
of this measure will depend on transit authorities continuing to work to
boost ridership through quality service and low fares.
116

Accelerating Capital Cost Allowance

for Forestry Bioenergy
The tax system currently provides accelerated capital cost allowance for
investments in energy generation equipment that uses renewable energy or
uses fossil fuel efficiently. The budget proposes to implement the previously
announced incentive for cogeneration systems in the pulp and paper
industry that produce both thermal energy and electricity using a biomass
residue from the pulping process referred to as “black liquor.” This measure
will encourage additional investment in technology that reduces emissions
of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, while helping to improve the
international competitiveness of Canadian mills.

Infrastructure
Canada needs to remain competitive and productive while sustaining the
quality of life of Canadians. The Government recognizes that world-class
infrastructure, such as an efficient transportation network and safe and
reliable water systems, is key to meeting these objectives. As illustrated by
the measures in this budget, the federal government is committed to
providing stable and reliable funding to provinces, territories and
municipalities to help them meet their infrastructure needs. In doing so,
the Government will maximize value for taxpayers’ money by supporting
infrastructure projects that adhere to best practices, by not funding
cost overruns and by requiring fund recipients to be accountable to
Canadian taxpayers.
New Highways and Border Infrastructure Fund

and Canada’s Pacific Gateway Initiative
Canada’s core national highway system is a very important national asset.
For example, in terms of value, about 63 per cent of Canada-United States
trade in goods was moved by truck in 2003. Also, individual Canadians,
whether they live in urban or rural areas, depend on major highways for
many of their travel needs. Additional investments in highways will result
in a more efficient and safer system.
117
The provinces and territories are responsible for the bulk of Canada’s
core national highway system. To help the provinces and territories meet
system needs, this budget provides a total of $2.4 billion over the next
five years for a new Highways and Border Infrastructure Fund. A key
objective of the new Fund will be to cost-share with provinces and
territories improvements to the core national highway system, including
the Trans-Canada Highway.
Canada’s trade with the rest of the world flows through “gateways”
(e.g. major land border crossings and ports) where transportation networks
converge to connect centres of economic activity. To capitalize on this
advantage, this budget announces the Government’s intention to invest a
total of $591 million over the next eight years in Canada’s Pacific gateway.
While some of the funding will also be directed towards related measures
such as maintaining secure and efficient border services, most of it will go
towards infrastructure improvements such as bridge and road upgrades and
railway grade crossing projects.
In recent years, the $600-million Border Infrastructure Fund has

committed funding towards infrastructure improvements at Canada’s
border crossings with the United States, including Windsor, Sarnia,
Fort Erie and St. Stephen. The new Highways and Border Infrastructure
Fund will provide funding for future federal investments in infrastructure
improvements that support Canada’s major gateways, including border
crossings with the United States.
Renewal of the Canada Strategic

Infrastructure Fund
The Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund has been making key strategic
investments in all regions of Canada in projects such as highways, urban
transit, sewage treatment and flood mitigation. These much-needed
investments have been made in cooperation with the provinces and
territories, municipalities and the private sector. In recognition of its
importance, this budget provides an additional $2 billion for the Canada
Strategic Infrastructure Fund. This will allow the Government to fund
new projects.
118

Renewal of the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund

Through tripartite initiatives such as the Infrastructure Canada Program
and, more recently, the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, the
Government has helped municipalities in all parts of Canada undertake
thousands of infrastructure improvement projects. Many of these projects
have consisted of improvements to water and wastewater distribution and
treatment infrastructure. To ensure that such assistance is maintained at
current levels, this budget provides an additional $2.2 billion over five years
to the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. This will allow this fund to
support further improvements to municipal infrastructure, such as the
Evergreen Commons at the Don Valley Brick Works in Toronto.
Unprecedented Federal Support for Infrastructure
Table 3.9
Canada’s New Government Infrastructure Initiatives
2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 Total
New funding for infrastructure

initiatives/agreements
Highways and Border
Infrastructure Fund 245 340 480 610 1,675
Canada’s Pacific
Gateway Initiative 19 72 92 56 239
Canada Strategic
Infrastructure Fund – 181 429 570 1,180
Municipal Rural
Infrastructure Fund 200 332 450 550 1,532
Public Transit Capital Trust1 300 300 300 – 900
Existing infrastructure
agreements2 1,467 1,197 741 470 3,875
Other funding for cities

and communities
Increase to 100% of
the GST/HST rebate 625 650 685 720 2,680
Gas tax revenue funding 600 800 1,000 2,000 4,400
Total contributions 3,456 3,872 4,177 4,976 16,481

1 The precise total amount will be determined and deposited in a third-party trust upon confirmation in the fall
of the Government of Canada’s final financial outcome for 2005–06. Funding is allocated notionally over
three years.
2 Agreements include the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Border Infrastructure Fund, the Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund and the Infrastructure Canada Program.
119
Budget 2006 confirms the Government’s commitment to maintain

and significantly expand its level of infrastructure investment. These
investments will see federal support for provincial, territorial and municipal
infrastructure increasing to new levels, totalling $16.5 billion over the
next four years. By 2009–10 the level of federal support for provincial,
territorial and municipal infrastructure will reach almost $5 billion. This
is nearly eight times the average annual support during the past 10 years,
and more than the estimated annual revenue generated by the federal
excise tax on gasoline.
In summary, Budget 2006:

• Provides more than $5.5 billion in new federal funding over the next
four years for the Highways and Border Infrastructure Fund, Canada’s
Pacific Gateway Initiative, the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund,
the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund and the Public Transit
Capital Trust.
• Maintains the estimated $3.9 billion in current funding over the next
four years under existing infrastructure agreements.
• Maintains the gas tax funding commitment under the New Deal for
Cities and Communities. Including the increase to 100 per cent of the
rebate of the goods and services tax and the federal portion of the
harmonized sales tax that municipalities pay, the federal government
will deliver $7.1 billion over the next four years in support under the
New Deal for Cities and Communities.
Eliminating Capital Gains Tax on Donations

to Charities and Increasing Support for the Arts
Charities play an invaluable role in assisting Canadians, and in contributing
to our sense of community and to important projects in the cultural,
education and social sectors. To encourage charitable giving, Budget 2006
proposes to eliminate capital gains tax on certain donations to charities. It
also increases support for the Canada Council for the Arts.
120

Donations of Listed Securities to Public Charities

Donations of listed publicly traded securities to charities receive the
charitable donations tax credit. In addition, since 1997, capital gains on
such donations to public charities have been subject to an inclusion rate
that is one-half the normal inclusion rate. The reduced rate is currently
25 per cent.
This budget proposes to exempt donations of publicly listed securities to

public charities from capital gains tax, effective immediately. These charities
now have a powerful set of tools for raising the funds they need to meet the
needs of Canadians. Table 3.10 shows the tax support provided for
charitable donations.
Table 3.10
Tax Support for Charitable Donations
Listed publicly traded securities
to public charities
Current Proposed
(25% inclusion (0% inclusion
Cash rate on capital gains) rate on capital gains)
Amount of donation $100 $100 $100
Tax credit1
Federal $29 $29 $29
Provincial $17 $17 $17
Reduction in capital gains tax2 – $7 $14
Total tax assistance 46% 53% 60%
Donor’s share of the cost
of the donation 54% 47% 40%
1 Assumes that donor has made other donations totalling $200 or more in the year, so that the top tax credit
rate applies.
2 Reduction from the standard 50% inclusion rate that would apply if the individual sold the security.
Assumes that the adjusted cost base of the security is $40.
121
Canada Provides More Tax Assistance for

Charitable Donations Than the United States
With the changes proposed in Budget 2006, Canada provides more tax
assistance than the United States for both cash donations and donations
of listed securities to public charities. In addition, Canada’s limits on tax
assistance relative to net income are higher than in the United States.
Tax assistance and net income limits for an individual donating $100 to a
public charity are illustrated below:
Canada United States
Tax assistance (before net income limits)

Cash donations1 $46 $40
Donations of listed securities to public charities2 $60 $52
Annual net income limits3

Cash donations 75% 50%
Donations of listed securities to public charities 75% 30%
1 In Canada, assumes donor has total donations of at least $200 in the year.
2 Assumes that the adjusted cost base of the security is $40.
3 The U.S. currently also has a clawback on charitable deductions equal to 3% of income over about
US$146,000, up to a limit of 80% of the value of the deduction. This clawback is scheduled to be
gradually phased out starting in 2006.
Since the capital gains inclusion rate was initially reduced in 1997,
donations of listed securities grew from $69 million to about $200 million
in 2004. While many factors influence the donation of listed securities, it is
estimated that the elimination of the capital gains tax on these donations
may support about $300 million in annual donations.
This measure is expected to reduce revenues by $50 million in 2006–07

and 2007–08.
122

Donations of Ecologically Sensitive Lands

Under the Ecogift program, Canadian landowners may donate ecologically
sensitive land, or easements and covenants on such land, to conservation
charities to ensure its preservation in perpetuity. At present, an individual
making an ecogift receives both a charitable donations credit and a reduced
inclusion rate on capital gains associated with the donation. To encourage
more Canadians to make ecogifts, this budget proposes to exempt
donations of ecologically sensitive land under the Ecogift program from
capital gains tax, effective immediately.
This measure is expected to reduce revenues by $5 million in 2006–07

and 2007–08.
Donations of Listed Securities to Private Foundations

To date, donations of listed securities to private foundations have not
been eligible for the half-inclusion rate measure. The primary reason for
this exclusion has been concerns regarding the adequacy of current
legislative provisions to safeguard against potential conflicts of interest,
which could arise when individuals with significant holdings in a
corporation also have influence over the management of a foundation’s
holdings of the same corporation.
The Government will consult with private foundations and other

interested parties in the coming months with a view to developing
appropriate self-dealing rules. If appropriate rules can be devised, the
Government would be prepared to bring them before Parliament within
the next year, and extend the capital gains exemption for listed securities
to donations to private foundations at the same time.
Support for the Arts

It is anticipated that the elimination of capital gains tax on donations of
publicly listed securities to public charities will provide significant benefits
to the arts and culture community. In addition, Budget 2006 provides
$50 million over two years to enhance and expand the Canada Council
for the Arts’ support of the arts in Canada. The Council has played an
important role in supporting professional artists and non-profit arts
organizations for almost 50 years.
123
Table 3.11
2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 Total
Families
Universal Child Care Benefit 1,610 2,085 3,695
New child care spaces 250 250
Subtotal 1,610 2,335 3,945
Other family measures
Children’s physical fitness tax credit 40 160 200
Child Disability Benefit 35 45 80
Refundable medical expense supplement 15 10 25
Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control 52 52 104
Providing greater tax relief to pensioners 490 405 895
Subtotal 632 672 1,304
Subtotal—families 2,242 3,007 5,249
Communities
Immigration measures
Right of Permanent Residence Fee 134 90 224
Foreign credential recognition agency 6 12 18
Immigration settlement 111 196 307
Subtotal 251 298 549
Aboriginal communities
Aboriginal investments 150 300 450
Environment
Tax credit for the cost of public transit 150 220 370
Accelerate capital cost allowance
for forestry bioenergy 10 20 30
Infrastructure
Highways and Border
Infrastructure Fund 245 340 585
Canada’s Pacific Gateway Initiative 19 72 91
Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund – 181 181
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund 200 332 532
Subtotal 464 925 1,389
Charitable giving and
support for the arts
Eliminating capital gains tax
on donations to charities 55 55 110
Canada Council for the Arts 20 30 50
Subtotal 75 85 160
Subtotal—communities 1,100 1,848 2,948
Total—families and communities 3,342 4,855 8,197
124
SECURITY
Highlights
Budget 2006 provides $1.4 billion over two years to protect
Canadian families and communities, to secure our borders and to
increase our preparedness to address public health threats. Over the
same period, this budget provides $73 million to better secure our
financial system. The Government is also committed to strengthening
Canada’s role in the world by investing an additional $1.1 billion
over two years in Canada’s armed forces and by working to ensure
the effectiveness of international assistance.
Cracking Down on Crime

$161 million for 1,000 more RCMP officers and federal
prosecutors to focus on such law-enforcement priorities as drugs,
$37 million for the RCMP to expand its National Training
Academy (Depot) to accommodate these new officers and build
the capacity to train more officers in the future.
Set aside funds to expand Canada’s correctional facilities to house
the expected increase in inmates as a result of changes in
sentencing rules.
$20 million for communities to prevent youth crime with a focus
on guns, gangs and drugs.
$26 million to give victims a more effective voice in the federal
corrections and justice system, and to give victims greater access
to services (such as travel to appear at parole hearings).
Securing Safe and Open Borders

$101 million to begin arming border officers and eliminating
“work-alone” posts.
$303 million to implement a border strategy to promote the
movement of low-risk trade and travellers within North America
while protecting Canadians from security threats.
126

Security
Preparing for Emergencies

$460 million ($1 billion over five years) to further improve
Canada’s pandemic preparedness.
$19 million per year to Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness Canada to enhance our capacity to deal with
catastrophes and emergencies.
$133 million to support Canadian Air Transport Security
Authority operations.
$95 million for new measures to enhance the security
of passenger rail and urban transit.
Strengthening Canada’s Role in the World

$1.1 billion ($5.3 billion over five years) to strengthen the
Canadian Forces’ capacity to defend our national sovereignty
and security.
Up to $320 million in 2005–06 to fight polio, tuberculosis,
malaria and HIV/AIDS and to help low-income countries cope
with natural disasters or sharp rises in commodity prices.
Enhancing Security in the Financial System

$64 million to enhance Canada’s anti-money laundering and
anti-terrorist financing regime.
$9 million to fund integrated enforcement teams to combat
currency counterfeiting.
127
Introduction
Canadians are proud of this country’s tradition of safe and secure
communities. To ensure Canada remains safe and secure, Budget 2006
provides $1.4 billion over two years to protect Canadian families and
communities, to secure our borders and to increase our preparedness
to address public health threats. Over the same period, this budget also
provides $73 million to better secure our financial system. These measures
reinforce Canada’s capacity to address the dangers posed by local
and international crimes, ranging from gun crimes in our communities
to financial crimes, such as those that sustain terrorism. The Government
is also committed to strengthening Canada’s role in the world by investing
an additional $1.1 billion over two years in Canada’s armed forces and
by working to ensure the effectiveness of international assistance.
Core Priority: Protecting Canadian Families

and Communities
Safe streets and safe communities are a hallmark of life in Canada and
are the foundation of happy families and a strong economy. However,
Canadian streets and communities are increasingly threatened by gun,
gang and drug violence.
As these threats grow, so must the capacity of Canadian law

enforcement to respond and protect Canadians. Over the next two
years, the Government will tackle crime by increasing the number of Royal
Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers. The Government will also help
communities prevent criminal behaviour among youth before it takes root.
The Government will also work to ensure the integrity of all components
of the federal justice system, including providing victims of crime with
a greater voice and greater access to victims’ services.
RCMP Federal Policing (Including the RCMP

National Training Academy)
The Government has committed to enhancing front-line law enforcement
capacity in Canada. The RCMP, as Canada’s national police force, maintains
a strong and vital presence in all provinces and territories. RCMP officers
help protect Canadian families and communities by investigating threats
from organized crime, terrorism, drugs and cross-border smuggling.
128

Security
Budget 2006 provides $161 million over two years for the RCMP to expand
the number of police officers across the country, and for the Department of
Justice Canada to hire additional federal prosecutors. This funding will
enable the RCMP to fill 1,000 vacancies by 2010. These new police officers
and prosecutors will focus on law enforcement priorities such as drugs,
The new RCMP officers will receive world-class basic police training at
the RCMP National Training Academy (Depot). Budget 2006 provides
$37 million over two years for the RCMP to expand the Depot
to accommodate these new officers and build the capacity to train more
officers in the future. This funding will finance the construction of new
buildings such as barracks, classrooms and a dining hall. This funding will
also be used to strenghten the field coaching program to ensure that all
Depot graduates are paired, during their first posting, with veteran
officers who have completed the RCMP field coaching course.
Correctional Service Canada

In support of the Government’s efforts to address serious crime and
to ensure that jail sentences match the severity of the crimes committed,
Budget 2006 sets aside funding for Correctional Service Canada to expand
correctional facilities to address the expected increase in the federal
inmate population. A new medium security institution and additional
maximum security capacity may be needed.
Youth Crime Prevention

Too many youths are becoming involved with guns, gangs, drugs
and other crimes that lead to increased crime in Canadian streets
and communities. While law enforcement is important, effective crime
prevention is also needed for youth at risk. Budget 2006 provides
$20 million over two years for communities to prevent youth crime.
Additional details will be announced shortly following consultations.
National DNA Data Bank

The RCMP’s National DNA Data Bank is an important resource for
Canadian law enforcement agencies, as it helps police across the country
to identify the guilty and exonerate the innocent. Budget 2006 provides
$15 million over two years to increase the ability of the RCMP to populate
the Data Bank with DNA samples from a greater range of convicted
offenders, such as sex offenders, as well as with DNA samples from a
greater range of crime scenes.
129
Victims of crime
Canadians who have become victims of crime deserve to have a strong
advocate for their rights within the justice system. Budget 2006 provides
$26 million over two years to give victims a more effective voice in the
federal corrections and justice system, and to give victims greater access to
services such as travel to appear at parole hearings. Additional details
will be announced at a later date.
Emergency Response
The terrorist bombings last year in London and the hurricane landings
on the U.S. Gulf Coast vividly illustrate the importance of a coordinated
emergency response capacity across all levels of government and sectors of
the economy. Budget 2006 provides $19 million per year to Public Safety
and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) to enhance Canada’s
capacity to respond to catastrophes and emergencies of any kind.
The funding will permit PSEPC to maintain round-the-clock readiness
levels in its national operations centre, enhance its presence in provincial
and territorial operations centres and response activities, liaise with key
international partners in emergency situations and increase the coverage
of its monitoring. This will improve PSEPC’s ability to coordinate and
deal with emergencies that extend across provincial, territorial and
international boundaries.
The Government’s commitment to ensuring that Canadians can live in safe,
healthy communities includes protecting those who rely on passenger rail
and urban transit. Budget 2006 provides $95 million over two years to fund
measures aimed at enhancing the safety and security of passenger rail and
urban transit operations. In partnership with other governments, industry,
law enforcement and the public, these measures will address high-priority
areas, and include the funding of new security measures and emergency
preparedness exercises.
The Government remains committed to ensuring the security of air

travel. Given the continued growth in the air transportation industry,
the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) must cope with
increasing passenger flows and related operating pressures. Budget 2006
provides an additional $133 million over two years to help CATSA
address these pressures.
130

Security
Securing Canada’s Borders

Keeping Canada safe from external threats requires a dedicated workforce
at the border. The border officers of the Canada Border Services Agency
(CBSA) manage, control and secure Canada’s border at approximately
1,200 points across Canada and 39 locations abroad. These officers face a
growing challenge in intercepting potential threats, including high-risk
individuals, firearms, explosives and drugs, without delaying legitimate
commerce or travel.
The Government is committed to enhancing border security and the

safety of these officers by providing them with sidearms and the training
required for their use. This will be done in a staged process beginning with
high-traffic ports of entry. The Government will also ensure these officers
are not required to work alone.
To address these objectives, this budget will allocate $101 million over
two years.
Security and Prosperity Partnership

of North America
Canada’s prosperity and security are enhanced by working cooperatively
with Mexico and the United States to ensure that North America is the
most economically dynamic region in the world and a secure home for our
citizens. The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP)
provides a framework to advance collaboration with Canada’s neighbours
in areas as diverse as security, trade facilitation, transportation, the
environment and public health. This partnership has increased institutional
contacts between the three governments to respond to a shared vision of a
stronger, more secure and more prosperous region.
In March this year, the Prime Minister met with the U.S. and Mexican
Presidents in Cancun to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the SPP.
On that occasion, the three leaders reviewed progress on implementation
of the SPP and committed to advance a positive agenda for the continent
focusing on five key priorities:
• The establishment of the North American Competitiveness Council,
which will ensure private industry has a say in making our markets
more competitive.
• A commitment to implementing, within two years, several measures
aimed at continuing to create smarter and safer borders.
131
• A commitment to increasing cooperation between the three countries

in response to natural or man-made disasters. In particular, the three
countries endorsed guiding principles and made specific commitments
toward a coordinated approach to deal with avian flu or human pandemic
influenza. Budget 2006 investments in these areas are discussed in
“Core Priority: Protecting Canadian Families and Communities” (above)
and “Pandemic Preparedness” (below).
• A reaffirmed commitment to putting in place a trilateral framework
for regulatory cooperation.
• An initiative to promote innovation and research and development in
areas such as clean energy technologies.
This budget contributes to the SPP work agenda by bringing forward

a border strategy to build smart and secure borders that rely on technology,
information sharing and biometrics. The Government of Canada is also
working with the Government of the United States to assess alternative
documents for cross-border travel based on common standards, as well
as technology and infrastructure requirements, in order to facilitate
the flow of legitimate travellers and goods. Mexico and the United States
have accepted Canada’s invitation to host the next trilateral leaders
meeting in 2007.
To support the SPP agenda, this budget will invest $303 million over
two years on a range of initiatives. Key among these is the border strategy
aimed at efficient and secure movement of low-risk trade and travellers to
and within North America, while protecting Canadians from threats,
including terrorism. This strategy includes the following key activities, as
well as other efforts related to emerging SPP priorities.
Enhancing Cargo Security and

Expediting Processing at the Border
Building on the foundation already established in the sea cargo
environment, Canada will work with the United States to harmonize
security regulations for all cargo in all modes of transportation in order
to facilitate trade and enhance security. In this regard, Budget 2006
provides $172 million over two years to develop and implement
an electronic advance notification system to extend this system to road
and rail cargo.
132

Security
Opportunities also exist to reduce security risks to aviation while

promoting trade, domestically and internationally. For this purpose,
Budget 2006 allocates $26 million over two years for the design and pilot
testing of an air cargo security initiative. This work will include the
development of measures to ensure cargo security throughout the supply
chain, as well as the evaluation of screening technologies.
The CBSA’s Partners In Protection is a voluntary program that enlists

private industry to enhance cargo security, combat smuggling and terrorism,
and facilitate trade. The CBSA will explore greater links with the U.S.
Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program to support joint
efforts for a more secure supply chain and remove obstacles to cross-border
trade.
Budget 2006 provides $5 million over two years in support of this

initiative.
Better Technology to Identify High-Risk

Travellers and Better Procedures to Expedite
Low-Risk Travellers
The Advanced Passenger Information System/Passenger Name Record was
implemented in October 2002 to identify and intercept high-risk individuals
travelling to North America by air. Budget 2006 provides $25 million over
two years to expand this program to allow more effective information
gathering from European airlines.
The NEXUS Air pilot project to speed passage of low-risk travellers

between Canada and the United States has operated at Vancouver
International Airport since the end of 2004. It will be expanded to seven
other major Canadian airports. Budget 2006 provides $25 million over
two years in support of this initiative.
Working With Partners to Assess

and Respond to Threats
Budget 2006 provides $12 million over two years to enhance the capacity
to cope with high-risk situations at the border through joint planning with
the United States, including incident response and training exercises.
133
First responders reduce the impact on affected Canadians in disasters or

emergencies. They need the proper training and opportunity to practice
through formal exercises. Budget 2006 provides $5 million a year to
PSEPC to augment its National Training and Exercises Program to provide
first responders with such an opportunity.
Canada and the United States have agreed on a joint vulnerability

assessment program to determine further actions needed to protect critical
infrastructure. These assessments will focus on key economic sectors
and will involve many Canadian and U.S. government departments and
agencies. In Canada, PSEPC will manage the program. Budget 2006
provides $1 million a year to PSEPC as Canada’s contribution to
these assessments.
Pandemic Preparedness
Recent investments in public health by all levels of government have
greatly improved Canada’s overall domestic preparedness to anticipate and
respond effectively to public health threats, including a possible pandemic.
Over the last few years, a Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan has been put
in place and the Public Health Agency of Canada was created to respond
to growing concerns about the capacity of Canada’s public health system
to anticipate and respond effectively to public health threats, including
a pandemic.
This budget provides $1 billion over five years to further improve

Canada’s pandemic preparedness—$600 million to be allocated to
departments and agencies and $400 million to be set aside as a contingency.
The $600 million will be used primarily by the Public Health Agency
of Canada ($367 million), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
($195 million), Health Canada ($16.5 million) and the Canadian Institutes
of Health Research ($21.5 million) for a variety of pandemic preparedness
activities. This includes the purchase of additional antivirals for the national
stockpile, animal health guidelines and surveillance for wild birds and
commercial poultry, laboratory enhancements and research, and
improvements in vaccine readiness and emergency management
preparedness. The Government will work in collaboration with provinces,
territories and other partners as these activities are implemented.
The $400-million contingency would only be accessed on an as-needed

basis, if a pandemic were to occur or the current planning environment
were to change significantly—for example, if significant human-to-human
134

Security
transmission were confirmed, resulting in an elevated pandemic risk or if

the World Health Organization declared a higher level of pandemic risk.
The contingency would be used to enhance Canada’s preparedness if an
elevated pandemic risk were to occur and to address increased operational
requirements during a pandemic influenza outbreak, for example to
maintain emergency operations at a higher state of activity.
Defence
Canada’s military has a proud tradition of responding to crises while
fulfilling the fundamental government role of ensuring our national
sovereignty. The international missions now being undertaken call for a new
concept, with different force structures, different equipment and different
operational requirements. The new international role means Canada’s
military and its defence policy need to transform and adapt to a new
operational environment. At home, the Government needs a strong
Canadian Forces (CF) to provide emergency response for such disasters
as floods, storms, earthquakes or the threat of terrorism.
For this reason, the Government will implement its “Canada First”
defence plan to strengthen Canada’s independent capacity to defend our
national sovereignty and security. Realizing this vision will require large-
scale investments in every region of the country to strengthen the CF.
Budget 2006 will increase the National Defence budget base by

$5.3 billion over five years to:
• Proceed with the transformation of military operations and
defence administration.
• Accelerate the recruitment of 13,000 additional regular forces
and 10,000 additional reserve forces personnel.
• Expand training, reduce rank structure overhead, review civilian
and military headquarters functions and increase front-line personnel.
• Increase investment in base infrastructure and housing for our forces.
• Acquire equipment needed to support a multi-role, combat-capable
maritime, land and air force.
• Increase the CF’s capacity to protect Canada’s Arctic sovereignty
and security.
• Restore the regular army presence in British Columbia.
• Initiate the establishment of territorial battalions.
135
Table 3.12
Budget 2006 Defence Funding (Budgetary Basis)1
2006–07 2007–08
Canada First 400 725
1 The cost of major capital equipment is spread over its life, so the annual budgetary amounts include only a
portion of the full capital cost. As was the case with the budgetary increases provided last year, the full cost
of capital acquisitions will be provided on a cash basis in the years they are acquired.
Royal Canadian Air Force Memorial Museum

Budget 2006 provides $1 million in 2006–07 to the Department of
National Defence to assist in the construction of a new facility to house
the Halifax Bomber at the Royal Canadian Air Force Memorial Museum
in Trenton, Ontario.
Security and the Financial System

Canada needs a robust and up-to-date anti-money laundering and
anti-terrorist financing regime to ensure security for Canadians and to
meet its global responsibilities. Such a regime must evolve to meet
enhanced global standards and risks. Departments and agencies need the
necessary expertise, technology and networks to operate effectively and
efficiently in this important area. In June 2005, the Department of Finance
Canada released a consultation paper on the Proceeds of Crime (Money
Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. It proposed legislative and
regulatory changes to implement recent revisions to the Financial Action
Task Force standards and to respond to recent evaluations of the regime.
In order to fund anticipated initiatives and bolster existing capacities

to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, the Government is
announcing funding of $64 million over the next two years for the Financial
Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, the RCMP, the CBSA
and the Department of Justice Canada. Legislation will be tabled at the
earliest opportunity to make the necessary enhancements to the regime. For
the year starting July 1, 2006, Canada will chair the Financial Action Task
Force, the international standard-setting body, demonstrating leadership
and helping advance the global effort against money laundering and
terrorist financing.
136

Security
Counterfeit currency is a serious problem in Canada, in spite of the

recent introduction of new banknotes with better security features.
Budget 2006 provides $9 million over two years for the RCMP to address
this problem through the National Counterfeit Enforcement Strategy.
With this funding, the RCMP will create Integrated Counterfeit
Enforcement Teams to conduct major counterfeiting investigations in
Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal.
International Assistance
Consistent with Canadians’ compassion for the less fortunate,
the Government will advance Canadian values and interests on
the international stage by providing much-needed assistance to
the world’s poor. Budget 2006 reaffirms the Government’s commitment
to double international assistance from 2001–02 levels by 2010–11.
In line with this commitment, Canada’s international assistance will
grow to about $3.8 billion in 2006–07 and then to approximately
$4.1 billion in 2007–08.
In addition, the Government will deliver up to $320 million in further

funding for international assistance, contingent on the 2005–06 federal
surplus being greater than $2 billion (see the section “Restoring Fiscal
Balance in Canada” for details), as follows:
• Up to $250 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis
and Malaria to fund activities to prevent and treat these diseases.
• Up to $45 million to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative
through funding to the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
• Up to $25 million to support low-income countries facing balance
of payments crises due, for example, to a natural disaster or sharp
commodity price rise. Funding will be provided through the
International Monetary Fund’s new Exogenous Shocks Facility.
Canada’s support will help these organizations achieve their goals,

in particular on the devastating diseases that kill over six million people
each year, primarily in developing countries.
137
In line with the Government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility,

Canada will continue to work toward further increases in international
assistance as resources allow. While more resources are important to help
the poorest of the world, it is equally vital that these resources are used
effectively. As noted in the Speech from the Throne, the Government is
committed to a more effective use of Canadian aid dollars and will work
to ensure greater accountability in the distribution and results of Canada’s
international assistance.
The Government will continue to work with the international financial

institutions to ensure their resources are used effectively to advance their
respective mandates and that Canada’s relationship with these institutions
is effective, accountable and efficient. To this end, Canada is working to
advance reform of the International Monetary Fund. In addition, the
Government intends to amend its European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD) Agreement Act to allow the EBRD to begin
operations in Mongolia and to accommodate future changes in the Bank’s
countries of operation.
138

Security
Table 3.13
Security
2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 Total
Protecting Canadian families
and communities
RCMP federal policing 37 124 161
RCMP Depot 17 20 37
Youth crime prevention 10 10 20
National DNA Data Bank 10 5 15
Victims of crime 13 13 26
Core emergency response 19 19 38
Passenger rail and urban transit security 41 53 95
Canadian Air Transport Security Authority 45 87 133
Securing our borders
Armed border presence 33 68 101
Enhancing road and rail cargo security 92 80 172
Enhancing air cargo security 13 13 26
Securing the supply chain 3 2 5
Identifying high-risk air travellers
(Advanced Passenger Information System) 12 13 25
NEXUS Air 11 14 25
Business resumption planning 5 7 12
National training and exercises
(national emergency response system) 5 5 10
Critical infrastructure vulnerability assessments
(national emergency response system) 1 1 2
Other initiatives to secure our borders 13 13 26
Pandemic preparedness
Enhancing pandemic preparedness 100 200 300
Contingency 70 90 160
Defence
Canada First 400 725 1,125
Royal Canadian Air Force Memorial Museum 1 0 1
Subtotal 401 725 1,126
Security and the financial system
National initiative to combat
money laundering 35 30 64
National Counterfeit Enforcement Strategy 5 4 9
Subtotal 40 33 73
Total 992 1,596 2,588
139
RESTORING FISCAL BALANCE

IN CANADA
Highlights
In Budget 2006, the Government is committing to take immediate
action to restore fiscal balance. This government will address
concerns over fiscal imbalance through:
Implementation of the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care.
A Patient Wait Times Guarantee for medically necessary services,
developed with provincial and territorial governments.
Certainty for equalization and Territorial Formula Financing
payments for 2006–07 through reliance on more current
economic and fiscal data, as well as one-time adjustments of
$255.4 million to offset declines.
Additional funding of up to $3.3 billion for provinces and
territories to help address immediate pressures in post-secondary
education, affordable housing (including Northern and off-
reserve Aboriginal housing) and public transit, contingent on
sufficient funds being available from the 2005–06 surplus.
A commitment to work with provinces and territories toward
The Government is also committing to further action over the
next year, working toward more open, transparent and collaborative
fiscal relations in Canada. It proposes:
A principle-based framework, outlined in the companion
document Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada, which will
lead to:
– A new approach for allocating unplanned federal surpluses.
– Renewed, transparent and principle-based Equalization and
Territorial Formula Financing programs.
– A new approach to long-term and predictable support for
post-secondary education and training.
– A new framework for long-term funding support for
infrastructure programs.
The Government is looking forward to a rich dialogue on fiscal
relations, engaging Canadians, provincial and territorial governments,
academics and experts, concluding with further action to improve
fiscal relations in Canada.
142

Introduction
The Government of Canada is committed to building a stronger, more
cooperative federation in which governments work together to help
Canadians realize their potential. To this end, the Government believes that
a new relationship of open federalism with provinces and territories is
required if Canada is to continue to grow in unity, prosperity and security.
This will mean a stronger economic and social union, a more efficient
federation and greater opportunity for all Canadians.
The Government will work to unite the country by respecting provincial,

territorial and cultural differences, while standing up for the broader
economic and social interests of the country and all Canadians. The
Government will respond to concerns about fiscal imbalance, and is
committed to working with provinces and territories to ensure a return to
balanced fiscal arrangements in which all governments have access to the
resources they need to meet their responsibilities.
Immediate Action to Restore Fiscal Balance

Some key elements in ensuring balanced fiscal arrangements for our
federation will take time to implement, as consultations with provinces
and territories are required. In the short term, the Government is
proposing immediate action in this budget.
Core Priority: Patient Wait Times Guarantee Funded

Through the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care
The Government is committed to working with provinces and territories to
develop a Patient Wait Times Guarantee to ensure that all Canadians receive
necessary medical treatment within medically acceptable waiting times.
Patients should be able to receive treatment in a medically acceptable
maximum time for a publicly insured service. If treatment is not available in
their own area, patients should be given the option of receiving treatment
at another hospital or clinic, even outside of their home province.
The Government is committed to implementing the September 2004

federal-provincial-territorial 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care. In
particular, it will work with provinces and territories to ensure that:
• Evidence-based benchmarks for medically acceptable wait times, starting
with cancer, heart, diagnostic imaging procedures, joint replacements and
sight restoration, are established as soon as possible, as promised in the
10-Year Plan.
143
• Patient wait time reduction targets for priority procedures identified by

provinces are established by the end of 2006.
• Canadians get regular reports on progress towards meeting these wait
time targets, as promised in the 10-Year Plan.
• Educational programs for doctors, nurses and other health professionals
are expanded and the assessment of the credentials of internationally
educated health care professionals accelerated.
Provinces and territories are taking important steps to address wait times.
On December 12, 2005, provincial and territorial Health Ministers
announced common benchmarks for the provision of medical treatments and
screening services. Under these benchmarks, which are based on research
and clinical evidence, provinces and territories will strive to provide services
within certain time limits (e.g. hip and knee replacements within 26 weeks).
Provinces and territories are also improving how they measure, monitor and
manage wait times. Comparable indicators of access are being established
to enable all governments to measure wait times in the same way. As a next
step, each provincial and territorial government is continuing to pursue its
own strategy to improve access and establish its own multi-year targets to
achieve these benchmarks.
The Government provides predictable support to provinces and

territories through the Canada Health Transfer (CHT). Cash transfers
are legislated to increase by 6 per cent annually up to 2013–14. This means
an additional $1.1 billion in 2006–07 and $1.2 billion more on top
of that in 2007–08 in support of provincial-territorial health systems,
and growing every year thereafter. In addition to the CHT, $5.5 billion
in wait times reduction funding will be provided to provinces and territories
from 2004–05 to 2013–14 as part of the 10-Year Plan. This funding will
allow provinces and territories to focus on clearing backlogs; training and
hiring more health professionals; building capacity for regional centres of
excellence; and expanding appropriate ambulatory and community care
programs and/or tools to manage wait times.
144

Chart 3.8
Impact of 6-Per-Cent Escalator for CHT
billions of dollars
4
New, growing funding each year
3 1.3
2
1.2
1.1
0
2006–2007 2007–2008 2008–2009
Note: Health cash transfers, set at $19 billion in 2005–06, will grow by $1.1 billion in 2006–07 as a result of
the 6-per-cent annual escalator, an additional $1.2 billion on top of that in 2007–08, and growing to larger
amounts each year throughout the life of the 10-Year Plan. By the last year of the 10-Year Plan, 2013–14,
the escalator will provide an additional $1.7 billion on top of the 2012–13 level.
Source: Department of Finance Canada.
Guaranteeing that Canadians have access to medically necessary

treatment when they need it is a basic principle of Canada’s publicly funded
health care system. In fact, the 10-Year Plan stated that ensuring “that all
Canadians have access to the health care services they need, when they need
them” was one of the key principles upon which the action plan was based.
Recently, the Government of Quebec, while confirming its commitment to
public health care and its respect for the principles of universality and
equity, has proposed a health care guarantee for certain health care services.
Quebec’s proposed approach is innovative and will help ensure that patients
receive timely access to these vital services.
Certainty for Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing

Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing (TFF) are extremely
important programs to the Canadian federation. The Government is
committed to putting in place renewed, transparent, principle-based
Equalization and TFF programs providing predictable ongoing support
to provinces and territories as a key element in restoring fiscal balance
in Canada.
145
The report of the Expert Panel on Equalization and Territorial Formula

Financing will be made public in spring 2006. This report and other
contributions to the debate, such as the report of the Council of the
Federation’s Advisory Panel on Fiscal Imbalance, along with subsequent
consultations with provinces and territories, will be critical elements in
arriving at renewed, transparent and principle-based Equalization and
TFF programs.
Equalization and TFF allocations for 2006–07 were announced by

the previous government in November 2005 but were not passed by
Parliament. Since then, more recent economic and fiscal data have
become available.
Budget 2006 proposes a new approach that gives certainty to provinces

and territories and ensures that they all benefit. The most current data
will be used to determine the allocations for 2006–07 since it best reflects
the fiscal and economic situations of provinces and territories. As a result,
six Equalization-receiving provinces and one territory—Prince Edward
Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and
the Northwest Territories—will receive higher payments than they were
advised they would receive in November 2005.
For the other two provinces and two territories, Newfoundland and
Labrador, British Columbia, Yukon and Nunavut, using the most recent
data would result in lower payments. For those provinces and territories
where there is a decline from the amount they had been advised of in
November 2005, one-time adjustments to offset the decline will be
provided. Budget 2006 provides an extra $255.4 million for provinces
and territories for these one-time adjustments.
146

Table 3.14
2006–07 Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing
Entitlements and One-Time Adjustments
Increase over
November 2005 Budget November One-time
Province/territory announcement 2006 2005 adjustments
Newfoundland and Labrador 687 632 – 54.4
Prince Edward Island 280 291 11.7 –
Nova Scotia 1,379 1,386 6.2 –
New Brunswick 1,432 1,451 18.7 –
Quebec 5,354 5,539 185.1 –
Manitoba 1,690 1,709 19.2 –
Saskatchewan 0 13 12.7 –
British Columbia 459 260 – 199.2
Total Equalization 11,282 11,282 – 253.6
Yukon 506 506 – 0.3

Northwest Territories 738 739 1.9 –
Nunavut 827 825 – 1.6
Total TFF 2,070 2,070 – 1.9
Total Equalization and TFF 13,352 13,352 – 255.4

Allocating Unplanned Federal Surpluses

to the Future Benefit of Canadians
In the aim of increasing budget transparency and building a more
cooperative federation, the Government is proposing to discuss with
provinces and territories the possibility of introducing legislation
authorizing the allocation of a portion of unanticipated federal surpluses at
fiscal year-end in excess of $3 billion to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP). This would allow the unplanned surpluses
to be used for the future benefit of Canadians. More details can be found in
the section entitled “Accountability.”
Efficient Capital Markets

To ensure rising living standards and enable Canadians to receive the
quality public services they expect of their governments, the Government
of Canada is committed to reducing or eliminating impediments to
the competitiveness and efficiency of Canada’s economic union.
147
An important foundation for a strong economy is a regulatory regime for

the securities market that ensures market integrity and investor protection.
Efficient capital markets promote domestic and foreign investment in
the economy, stimulating productivity growth and jobs. All jurisdictions
recognize that Canada’s securities regulatory system must be improved
to respond more rapidly and effectively to regulatory and market
developments at home and abroad.
The provinces and territories have made progress in improving the

current system of securities regulation in Canada by narrowing regulatory
differences and streamlining the administration of securities laws. To
maximize benefits for investors and issuers and strengthen the federation,
intensified efforts are required. The Government believes that Canadians
would best be served by a common securities regulator that administers a
single code, is responsive to regional needs and has a governance structure
that ensures broad provincial participation. A common regulator would
foster more responsive policy making, improve market efficiency, eliminate
duplication, provide common standards of investor protection, and
strengthen Canada’s voice in international discussions on regulatory
standards. It would also significantly enhance capacity for effective,
integrated enforcement in capital markets across Canada.
Recognizing the importance of a common securities regulator to a

stronger and more effective Canadian economic union, the Minister of
Finance will engage with provinces and territories on this issue on a
priority basis.
Funding Support to Provinces

and Territories to Address Immediate Pressures
The Government has made commitments with respect to post-secondary
education, public transit and affordable housing. This budget confirms
the immediate actions the Government is taking with regard to
international assistance and arrangements with provinces and territories to
provide one-time additional funding to address short-term pressures, using
the existing authority under Bill C-48 (An Act to authorize the Minister of
Finance to make certain payments).
Contingent on the federal surplus for 2005–06 being greater than
$2 billion, and after providing up to $320 million for international
assistance commitments, the Government will provide provinces and
territories with up to $3.3 billion for post-secondary education, public
transit, affordable housing, Northern housing and off-reserve Aboriginal
housing (more details can be found in the sections entitled “Opportunity”
and “Families and Communities”).
148

The amounts designated to each of the supported areas will be paid into
five third-party trusts for the benefit of provinces and territories once
the federal books are closed, likely in September 2006. The Government
will account for the amounts in 2005–06. Provinces and territories will have
the flexibility to draw down funds as they require up to the end of
the lifespan of each individual trust.
Table 3.15
Funding Support to Provinces and
Territories to Address Immediate Pressures
Post-
secondary Public Off-reserve
Province/ education transit Affordable Northern Aboriginal
territory infrastructure capital housing housing housing Total
Newfoundland
and Labrador 15.8 14.1 12.6 8.2 50.6
Prince Edward Island 4.3 3.8 3.4 0.7 12.2
Nova Scotia 28.8 25.8 23.0 7.8 85.4
New Brunswick 23.1 20.7 18.4 6.7 68.9
Quebec 234.5 210.8 187.4 38.2 670.9
Ontario 390.0 351.5 312.3 80.2 1,134.1
Manitoba 36.3 32.6 29.0 32.5 130.4
Saskatchewan 30.3 27.2 24.2 26.4 108.1
Alberta 101.3 91.3 81.1 48.4 322.2
British Columbia 132.3 119.3 106.0 50.9 408.5
Yukon 0.95 0.85 0.76 50.0 52.57
Northwest Territories 1.35 1.21 1.08 50.0 53.64
Nunavut 0.92 0.83 0.74 200.0 202.49
Total 1,000 900 800 300 300 3,300
Notes: Population based on Statistics Canada data. Population shares for Aboriginal people living off reserve
based on 2001 Census. Funding is contingent on sufficient funds being available from the federal surplus in
2005–06, and after providing up to $320 million for international assistance commitments. Precise amounts
designated to each supported area will be deposited in third-party trusts upon confirmation of the 2005–06
final financial outcome for the Government of Canada. Totals may not add due to rounding.
149
Working to Strengthen the Federation

The Government has set out a principle-based framework to ensure
a return to balanced fiscal arrangements. The companion document
Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada provides a more detailed discussion
of the issues and trends in Canadian fiscal relations, outlines the
Government’s approach to restore fiscal balance and sets out a process
for moving ahead.
The Government’s approach to federal-provincial-territorial fiscal

relations is one that builds on five key principles:
• Accountability through clarity in roles and responsibilities of orders of
government, including accountability for how governments raise and
spend public funds.
• Fiscal responsibility and budget transparency by planning on annual debt
reduction of $3 billion, and fiscal planning based on accurate, timely and
complete information and analysis.
• Predictable long-term fiscal arrangements that adequately support shared
priorities, based on transparent principles and formulas.
• Competitiveness and efficiency of the Canadian economic union to
ensure rising living standards and enable governments to deliver
the quality of services Canadians expect.
• Effective collaborative management of the federation that results in
practical intergovernmental mechanisms to facilitate provincial and
territorial involvement in areas of federal jurisdiction and more efficient
service delivery.
These elements are the foundation of the Government’s approach

to address concerns about fiscal imbalance and strengthen the federation.
This budget proposes immediate action to restore fiscal balance and makes
commitments for further action over the next year.
150

Working to Strengthen the Federation—

Budget 2006 Initiatives
Accountability through clarity in roles and responsibilities

of orders of government
• Ensuring value for taxpayers’ dollars through focus on federal
responsibilities, spending discipline and tax reductions.
• Investments in core federal responsibilities:
– Border security.
– National Defence.
– Emergency and pandemic preparedness.
– Aboriginal people.
• Measures to protect Canadian families and communities, including
significant investments in the RCMP.
• First 1-point reduction in GST rate.
• Universal Child Care Benefit.
Fiscal responsibility and transparency in budget planning

• Federal Accountability Act, including a Parliamentary Budget Officer.
• Two-year budget planning horizon—introducing measures
when affordable.
• Actions to limit spending growth and better manage expenditures.
• Planned annual debt reduction of $3 billion and medium-term debt
reduction target.
• Proposal for allocating unplanned federal surpluses.
• Reforms to the Government’s financial reporting, including quarterly
updates, consolidation of foundations and improved and transparent
revenue and expenditure reporting.
151
Working to Strengthen the Federation—

Budget 2006 Initiatives (cont’d)
Predictable long-term fiscal arrangements

• Patient Wait Times Guarantee funded through the 10-Year Plan
to Strengthen Health Care.
• Certainty for 2006–07 Equalization and Territorial Formula
Financing payments.
• Funding of $3.3 billion to provinces and territories for short-term
pressures in post-secondary education, affordable housing and
public transit.
• Significant investments in infrastructure.
Competitiveness and efficiency of the Canadian economic union

• Significant tax reductions for small business and large corporations
to create jobs and grow Canada’s economy.
• Broad-based personal income tax relief.
• Measures for education and training, including apprenticeships,
and increased support for students.
• Investments to promote research and innovation.
• Commitment to work with provinces and territories toward
• Additional support for immigration settlement and integration programs,
plus taking first steps toward the establishment of a Canadian agency for
assessment and recognition of credentials.
• Measures to enhance financial security.
Effective collaborative management of the federation

• Implementation of commitment for greater provincial and territorial
participation at the international level (UNESCO).
• Additional support for agriculture.
• Proposal to work to reduce the welfare wall through development
of a Working Income Tax Benefit.
152
4
FISCAL OUTLOOK
Highlights
For 2005–06, the federal surplus is currently estimated at
$8 billion, based on monthly financial information through
February 2006. The final result will reflect developments in
March and year-end accrual adjustments.
Starting this fiscal year, the Government is planning on achieving
annual debt reduction of $3 billion.
The Government is directing higher than expected surpluses over
the planning period to the priorities of Canadians, largely to
reducing taxes. As a result, revenues as a share of gross domestic
product (GDP) are projected to decline from 16.4 per cent in
2004–05 to 15.5 per cent in 2007–08.
The Government is committed to reducing growth in spending
to a rate that is sustainable. Program expenses as a share of GDP
are projected to decline from 13.7 per cent in 2004–05 to
13.0 per cent in 2007–08.
The debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to fall to 31.7 per cent by
2007–08, on track to meet the new medium-term objective of
reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio to 25 per cent by 2013–14.
154
Fiscal Outlook
Fiscal Outlook Before the Measures

Proposed in the 2006 Budget
Projections in this budget are based on private sector economic forecasts as
summarized in Table 4.1 (see Chapter 2 for details), and monthly financial
results through February 2006. The projections are presented over two
years, consistent with the Government’s approach to introducing measures
when they are affordable and ready to be implemented.
Private sector forecasters are projecting continued solid growth in

real GDP over the planning period. Reflecting the ongoing strength of
commodity prices, private sector forecasters expect GDP inflation to be
2.9 per cent in 2006. This is considerably higher than forecast at the time
of the November 2005 Economic and Fiscal Update.
Table 4.1
Average of Private Sector Economic Forecasts:
March 2006 Survey
2005 2006 2007
(per cent, unless otherwise indicated)
Real GDP growth 2.9 3.0 2.7
GDP inflation 3.1 2.9 1.8
Nominal GDP growth 6.1 6.0 4.6
3-month treasury bill rate 2.7 4.0 4.1
10-year Government of Canada bond rate 4.1 4.4 4.5
Change in nominal GDP since

November 2005 Update
Level (billions of dollars) 10.2 21.9 21.4
Growth 0.8 0.8 -0.1
Nominal GDP growth is expected to average 6.0 per cent in 2006,

up from growth of 5.2 per cent forecast in the November 2005 Update.
In 2007, nominal GDP growth is projected to slow to 4.6 per cent, a rate
similar to that forecast in the November 2005 Update. Combined with the
stronger growth recorded in 2005 (6.1 per cent compared to 5.3 per cent
estimated in the Update), the level of nominal GDP is projected to
be about $22 billion higher in 2006 and 2007 than projected in the
2005 Update. This will result in increased revenues, as nominal GDP
is the broadest measure of the tax base.
155
Consistent with stronger projected economic growth, short-term interest

rates are expected to rise to an average of 4.0 per cent in 2006 (60 basis
points higher than projected in the Update) and 4.1 per cent in 2007
(unchanged from the Update). Private sector forecasters also project a
gradual rise in longer-term interest rates from 4.1 per cent in 2005 to
4.5 per cent by 2007 (compared to 5.1 per cent projected in the Update).
Table 4.2
Changes in the Status Quo Planning Surplus
Since the November 2005 Economic and Fiscal Update
Estimate Projection
2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
November 2005 Update status quo surplus

(before policy actions) 13.4 15.0 16.4
Initiatives announced before the Update1 -1.4 -0.9 -1.1
Impact of consolidating foundations -0.7 -0.7 -0.8
Adjusted November Update surplus 11.3 13.3 14.5
Impact of economic changes

Budgetary revenues
Personal income tax 2.6 3.1 3.3
Corporate income tax 0.8 0.6 1.0
Goods and services tax 0.4 0.7 1.0
Other revenues 0.4 0.8 0.3
Total 4.2 5.2 5.5
Program expenses 1.5 -0.3 -0.5
Public debt charges 0.3 -0.4 -0.1
Total economic changes 6.0 4.5 4.9
Revised status quo planning surplus 17.4 17.8 19.4

Notes: A positive number implies an improvement in the budgetary balance.
A negative number implies a deterioration in the budgetary balance.
Totals may not add due to rounding.
1 Includes amounts with spending authority for 2005–06 and amounts confirmed by the Government
for 2006–07 and 2007–08.
The status quo budgetary surplus, as presented in the November 2005

Economic and Fiscal Update, was estimated at $13.4 billion for 2005–06,
rising to $15.0 billion in 2006–07 and $16.4 billion in 2007–08. However,
the status quo surplus as presented in the Update did not reflect the cost of
156
Fiscal Outlook
a number of commitments made by the previous government and which the

new government has confirmed. These measures consist of the Energy Cost
Benefit and funding for public transit infrastructure, the elements of the
Canada-Ontario agreement that remain to be funded (see box entitled
“Canada-Ontario Agreement: 2006–07 and 2007–08” later in this chapter),
and other measures announced between the 2005 budget and the
November Update that had spending authority or that have been
confirmed by the Government. In total, these measures reduce the surplus
by $1.4 billion in 2005–06, $0.9 billion in 2006–07 and $1.1 billion
in 2007–08.
The November Update status quo surplus also did not reflect the
impact of consolidating a number of foundations. Including the foundations
in the Government’s financial statements, consistent with the
recommendations of the Auditor General of Canada, requires that the
disbursements of these organizations be recognized as expenses. This is
projected to reduce the surplus by $0.7 billion in 2005–06 and 2006–07,
and by $0.8 billion in 2007–08. These adjustments reduce the underlying
surplus to $11.3 billion in 2005–06, $13.3 billion in 2006–07 and
$14.5 billion in 2007–08.
However, the Government’s overall fiscal situation is now stronger than

projected at the time of the November Update, primarily due to higher
revenues, consistent with the upward revisions to private sector forecasts of
nominal GDP growth in 2005 and 2006. Budgetary revenues are now
projected to be higher than at the time of the November 2005 Update:
$4.2 billion higher in 2005–06, $5.2 billion higher in 2006–07 and
$5.5 billion higher in 2007–08.
All major federal revenue sources have contributed to these increases:

• In the period from April 2005 to February 2006, personal income tax
receipts grew more strongly than expected—nearly twice as fast as the
growth of personal income, the tax base. As a result, personal income
tax receipts are projected to be $2.6 billion higher in 2005–06 than
forecast in the 2005 Update. This higher level of personal income tax
receipts is expected to carry forward over the remaining two years of the
planning period, growing to $3.3 billion in 2007–08, reflecting both a
higher level of personal income and a higher tax yield.
• Corporate income tax receipts have been stronger than expected in
2005–06, reflecting ongoing profitability in the corporate sector,
particularly among energy-related industries. The higher projected
level of corporate receipts is expected to carry forward into this fiscal
year and 2007–08, as corporate profits are projected to remain high.
157
• Goods and services tax (GST) receipts in 2005–06 have also risen
somewhat more rapidly than projected in the November 2005 Update.
This adds $0.4 billion to the status quo fiscal balance for 2005–06
(i.e. before the GST rate cut proposed in this budget). This gain carries
forward and increases over the rest of the planning period, reflecting a
higher forecast for growth in consumer spending than in November.
• Other revenues are expected to be about $0.4 billion higher in 2005–06
than projected in the November Update, mainly due to extraordinarily
high dividend payments to non-residents in late 2005 and stronger net
revenues at Export Development Canada.
Program expenses in 2005–06 are $1.5 billion lower relative to the

November Update, primarily because a significant portion of planned
spending that would normally have taken place under appropriation bills
did not proceed this year due to the dissolution of Parliament in November.
Beyond 2005–06, program expenses are slightly higher, reflecting higher
transfers to other levels of government due to changes in statutory tax
abatements, and slightly higher direct program expenses, reflecting the
impact of changes in estimates for statutory programs administered
by departments.
Public debt charges in 2005–06 are forecast to be $0.3 billion lower

than projected in the 2005 Update. In 2006–07 and 2007–08, public
debt charges are expected to be $0.4 billion and $0.1 billion higher,
respectively, compared to the November 2005 Update due to higher
projected interest rates.
The net result of these changes is planning surpluses for Budget 2006
of $17.4 billion in 2005–06, $17.8 billion in 2006–07, and $19.4 billion
in 2007–08.
158
Fiscal Outlook
Canada-Ontario Agreement: 2006–07 and 2007–08

2006–07 2007–08
Gross cost of agreement 919 1,340
Measures to meet Ontario commitment
Immigration 115 185

Budget 2005 29 41
New funding 86 144
Labour market training 86 120

Apprenticeship measures (Budget 2006) 86 120
Post-secondary education 269 263

Post-Secondary Education Infrastructure Trust1 195 195
Education tax measures (Budget 2006) 74 68
Affordable Housing Trust2 117 117
Public Transit Capital Trust2 117 117
Infrastructure 100
Total funding sources 704 902
Further amounts allocated in budget 157 653

1 Notional allocation over two years (2006–07 to 2007–08).
2 Notional allocation over three years (2006–07 to 2008–09).
This budget provides full funding to meet the agreement with the Government
of Ontario. Funding for 2006–07 and 2007–08 for immigration, post-
secondary education, housing, cities and public transit/climate change is
being provided for all provinces and territories, and will cover commitments
under the Canada-Ontario agreement for that period. Funding for elements of
the agreement which pertain to issues of specific concern to Ontario, such as
corporate tax collection, slaughterhouse inspection and infrastructure, has
also been accounted for in this budget. With respect to infrastructure, an
incremental top-up of $300 million will be provided to the Canada Strategic
Infrastructure Fund for projects in Ontario to restore the province’s per capita
share of national funding under existing infrastructure agreements. The
approach to meeting the commitment for labour market training and for later
years of post-secondary education will be part of the discussion with
provinces and territories to restore fiscal balance.
159
Fiscal Outlook Including Impact of Budget

Measures on the Budgetary Balance
Table 4.3 summarizes the impact on the budgetary surplus of the measures
proposed in this budget.
Table 4.3
Fiscal Outlook Including May 2006 Budget Measures
Estimate Projection
2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
Budget 2006 status quo planning surplus 17.4 17.8 19.4

Budget measures:
Accountability and transparency -0.1 -0.1
Opportunity -5.7 -10.8 -11.0
Famillies and communities -3.3 -4.9
Security -1.0 -1.6
Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing -0.3 0.0
Expenditure reallocation/restraint 1.2 2.4
Total budget measures -5.7 -14.3 -15.0
C-48 -3.6
Net changes -9.3 -14.3 -15.0
Debt reduction 8.0 3.0 3.0
Remaining surplus 0.0 0.6 1.4
Memoranda
Total tax reductions proposed in the budget -5.0 -9.9 -11.3
Total net new spending initiatives proposed in the budget -0.8 -4.4 -3.8
Notes: Totals may not add due to rounding.
For planning purposes, it is assumed the full amount planned under Bill C-48 will be available.
The measures included in this budget for 2005–06 total $5.7 billion.
This budget also accounts for $3.6 billion in costs related to anticipated
payments made under Bill C-48 for 2005–06. The measures proposed
for 2006–07 total $14.3 billion and for 2007–08 total $15.0 billion.
160
Fiscal Outlook
Overall, this budget provides more than twice as much tax relief as new
spending. The cost of the measures are net of planned reallocations. These
reallocations include $1 billion annually to be identified by the President of
the Treasury Board, as described in Chapter 3. The Government will also
reallocate resources from current climate change programming to cover the
cost of the new tax credit for public transit passes proposed in this budget.
In addition, pursuant to the agreements on Early Learning and Child Care
signed by the previous government with the provincial and territorial
governments, which allow for their termination upon one year’s notice
from either party, the Government is phasing out the agreements by
March 2007. This will be replaced with the new Universal Child Care
Benefit proposed in this budget.
After accounting for measures, debt reduction in 2005–06 is $8 billion.

For 2006–07 and 2007–08 the Government is planning on achieving debt
reduction of $3 billion. Reflecting the Government’s more transparent
approach to fiscal reporting, this budget projects unallocated surpluses of
$0.6 billion in 2006–07 and $1.4 billion in 2007–08. These will be
available to address future priorities of the Government including,
potentially, measures to restore the fiscal balance. The final outcome for
these years will, of course, depend on many factors, primarily the rate
of growth in the economy and future budgetary decisions taken by
the Government. Further, the Government is proposing to discuss with
the provinces the possibility of allocating a portion of unanticipated
surpluses at year-end for the Canada Pension Plan and Quebec
Pension Plan.
161

Table 4.4
Actual1 Estimate Projection
2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08

Total expenses 210.5 212.9 223.6 231.4
Planned debt reduction 1.5 8.0 3.0 3.0
Remaining surplus 0.6 1.4
Federal debt 494.4 486.4 483.4 480.4

Per cent of GDP
Total expenses 16.3 15.6 15.4 15.2
Debt reduction 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.2
Federal debt 38.3 35.5 33.3 31.7
Nominal GDP (billions of dollars,
calendar year) 1,290 1,369 1,451 1,517
1 Revised to reflect the impact of consolidating foundations.
Table 4.4 provides a summary of the Government’s financial position,

reflecting the cost of all measures proposed in this budget. To provide an
accurate picture of the true level of revenues and expenses, the past practice
of including certain expenses as a deduction from revenues (particularly the
Canada Child Tax Benefit) has been discontinued. This raises both revenues
and expenses by an amount equivalent to about 1 per cent of GDP, but has
no impact on the budgetary balance (see discussion in Annex 2).
162
Fiscal Outlook
Budgetary revenues are estimated to increase by $9.0 billion or

4.2 per cent in 2005–06. Over the next two years, revenues are projected to
increase at a rate well below that of the overall growth in the economy,
reflecting the impact of tax reduction measures proposed in this budget.
Program expenses are estimated to rise 1.6 per cent in 2005–06,

or $2.8 billion. This reflects, in part, the one-time increase in transfers to
other levels of government in 2004–05, which significantly increased the
level of expenses in that year. Program expenses are expected to rise
5.4 per cent in 2006–07 and 4.1 per cent in 2007–08, below the rate
of growth of nominal GDP.
Public debt charges are estimated to decrease by $0.4 billion to

$33.7 billion in 2005–06, largely reflecting a decline in the stock of
interest-bearing debt. In 2006–07, public debt charges are forecast to
increase by $1.1 billion to $34.8 billion, due to an expected increase
in the average effective interest rate on government debt.
The federal debt-to-GDP ratio (accumulated deficit) stood at

38.3 per cent in 2004–05, down significantly from its peak of 68.4 per cent
in 1995–96. Taking into account the projected debt reduction, the debt
ratio is expected to fall to 31.7 per cent by 2007–08, on track to meet
the new medium-term objective of reducing the ratio to 25 per cent
by 2013–14.
163
Outlook for Budgetary Revenues

Table 4.5
The Revenue Outlook
Actual Estimate Projection
2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
Tax revenues
Income tax
Personal income tax 98,521 103,000 109,275 115,530
Corporate income tax 29,956 34,530 35,345 36,805
Other income tax 3,560 4,645 4,370 4,240
Total income tax 132,037 142,175 148,990 156,575
Excise taxes/duties
Goods and services tax 29,758 31,940 29,845 29,760
Customs import duties 3,091 3,410 3,610 3,920
Other excise taxes/duties 10,008 9,970 9,965 10,095
Total excise taxes/duties 42,857 45,320 43,420 43,775
Total tax revenues 174,894 187,495 192,410 200,350
Employment insurance premium revenues 17,307 16,880 16,125 16,420
Other revenues 19,719 16,540 18,615 18,990
Total budgetary revenues 211,920 220,915 227,150 235,760
Per cent of GDP

Personal income tax 7.6 7.5 7.5 7.6
Corporate income tax 2.3 2.5 2.4 2.4
Goods and services tax 2.3 2.3 2.1 2.0
Other excise taxes/duties 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9
Total tax revenues 13.6 13.7 13.3 13.2
Employment insurance premium revenues 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.1
Other revenues 1.5 1.2 1.3 1.3
Total 16.4 16.1 15.7 15.5

164
Fiscal Outlook
Budgetary revenues are estimated to increase by 4.2 per cent in 2005–06

and about 3.3 per cent on average in 2006–07 and 2007–08. This includes
the cost of the tax relief the Government is proposing to legislate in
this budget of $5.0 billion in 2005–06, $9.9 billion in 2006–07 and
$11.3 billion in 2007–08. As a share of GDP, revenues are projected to
fall from 16.4 per cent in 2004–05 to 15.5 per cent in 2007–08, reflecting
the tax measures announced in this budget, including the proposed
1-percentage-point cut to the GST and the proposed reduction in personal
income taxes.
Personal income tax receipts—the largest component of budgetary

revenues—are estimated to decline slightly as a percentage of GDP in
2005–06, reflecting the impact of reducing the 16 per cent rate to
15 per cent in 2005 and the increase in the basic personal amount. In the
following two years, personal income tax receipts remain stable as a share of
GDP, reflecting the impact of tax reductions, offsetting the natural upward
drift in personal income tax revenues in periods of real income gains.
In 2005–06, corporate income tax revenues are estimated to increase

15.3 per cent, following a gain of 9.2 per cent in the previous year. The
buoyant growth in projected corporate receipts reflects gains in profitability,
particularly among energy-related industries. For the remaining two years of
the planning period, corporate income tax revenues are projected to grow
at a slower pace than corporate profits, reflecting the acceleration of the
federal capital tax elimination.
GST revenues are estimated to grow 7.3 per cent in 2005–06, slightly
faster than the growth in the economy, reflecting strong growth in retail
sales. In 2006–07, GST revenues are projected to decline 6.6 per cent,
which is entirely due to the proposed 1-percentage-point reduction in the
GST rate, effective July 1, 2006. The proposed rate cut is projected to
lower GST revenues as a share of GDP from 2.3 per cent in 2005–06 to
2.0 per cent in 2007–08, the first fiscal year in which the new, lower
GST rate is fully reflected.
165
Other income tax receipts—largely withholding taxes levied on non-

residents—are estimated to increase by about 30 per cent in 2005–06 due
to strong growth in extraordinary dividend payments to non-residents that
were recorded over the September to December 2005 period. The monthly
financial results for January and February 2006 indicate that the growth of
non-resident withholding tax receipts has returned to more normal levels,
broadly in line with the growth of corporate profits. The strong
gain recorded in the latter part of 2005 is not expected to carry forward
into the projection period.
Consistent with the employment insurance (EI) premium rate-setting

mechanism, EI premiums are assumed to match projected EI program
costs. The EI revenue and expense projections also reflect the
implementation of the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan in 2006 and the
cost of the labour market pilot projects announced in February 2005.
On balance, this results in a decline in projected EI premium revenues
in 2005–06 and 2006–07.
Other revenues include those of the consolidated Crown corporations,

net gains/losses from enterprise Crown corporations, foreign exchange
revenues, returns on investments and proceeds from the sales of goods and
services. These revenues are volatile, owing partly to the impact of exchange
rate movements on the Canadian-dollar value of foreign-denominated
interest-bearing assets and to net gains/losses from enterprise Crown
corporations. In 2005–06, other revenues are estimated to decrease
16.1 per cent, or $3.2 billion, which largely reflects the one-time gain
($2.6 billion) from the sale of the Government’s remaining shares of
Petro-Canada in 2004–05 and the impact of the appreciation of the
Canadian dollar.
166
Fiscal Outlook
Revenue Ratio Lowered Due to Tax Cuts
Chart 4.1
Revenue-to-GDP Ratio
per cent of GDP
19
Actual Projection1
18
17
16
15
1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
1
Estimate for 2005–06.
Sources: Department of Finance Canada; Statistics Canada.
• A more revealing picture of movements in tax revenue can be obtained

by examining the revenue ratio—total federal revenues in relation to total
income in the economy (or GDP).
• The revenue ratio is projected to decline, falling from 16.4 per cent
in 2004–05 to 15.5 per cent by 2007–08, reflecting the impact of tax
reduction measures.
167
Outlook for Program Expenses

Table 4.6
The Program Expenses Outlook
2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
Major transfers to persons
Elderly benefits 27,871 29,125 30,625 32,030
Employment insurance benefits1 14,748 14,390 14,580 15,205
Children’s benefits2 8,688 9,145 11,140 11,795
Energy Cost Benefit 565
Total 51,307 53,225 56,345 59,030
Major transfers to other levels of government

Federal transfers in support of health
and other programs 27,831 27,225 28,640 30,150
Fiscal arrangements3 16,171 12,370 13,055 13,175
Alternative Payments for Standing
Programs -2,746 -2,730 -2,870 -3,065
Early learning and child care 700 650
Canada’s cities and communities 600 600 800
Total 41,955 37,465 40,075 41,060
Direct program expenses 83,083 84,840 92,385 96,455
Bill C-48 3,620
Total program expenses 176,345 179,150 188,805 196,545
Per cent of GDP

Major transfers to persons 4.0 3.9 3.9 3.9
Major transfers to other levels
of government 3.3 2.7 2.8 2.7
Direct program expenses 6.4 6.2 6.4 6.4
Total program expenses 13.7 13.1 4 13.0 13.0

1 EI benefits include regular, sickness, maternity, parental, compassionate care, fishing and work-sharing
benefits, and employment benefits and support measures. These represent 90 per cent of total EI program
expenses. The remaining EI costs (amounting to $1.3 billion in 2004–05) relate to administration costs.
2 Includes the Canada Child Tax Benefit and the new Universal Child Care Benefit.
3 Includes data revision adjustment in 2006–07.
4 Includes the costs of payments expected under Bill C-48.
168
Fiscal Outlook
Table 4.6 provides an overview of the projections for program expenses,

including the cost of measures proposed in this budget. Program expenses
are divided into three major components: major transfers to persons, major
transfers to other levels of government and direct program expenses—the
latter includes subsidies and other transfers, and defence and all other
departmental operating expenses.
Major transfers to persons, consisting of elderly and EI benefits and

children’s benefits, including the new Universal Child Care Benefit, are
expected to increase by $5.8 billion over the next two years.
• The growth in elderly benefits is due to the growth in the elderly
population and changes in consumer prices, to which benefits are
fully indexed.
• EI benefits are estimated to decline in 2005–06, reflecting labour market
conditions as well as the transfer to the province of Quebec of the
responsibility for delivering parental benefits under the new Quebec
Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP), starting January 1, 2006. The projected
increase in 2006–07 reflects a slight rise in projected unemployment and
the first full-year impact of the labour market pilot projects announced in
February 2005, slightly offset by lower parental benefits compared to the
previous year due to the QPIP. In 2007–08, higher projected EI benefits
are attributable to an increase in the private sector forecast of the number
of unemployed. Furthermore, starting in 2007, average EI benefits are
projected to increase because of the indexation of maximum insurable
earnings to the growth in the average industrial wage. In 1996, the
maximum level of insurable earnings under the EI program was set at
$39,000 and fixed at that level until the average industrial wage caught
up to this amount. This is projected to occur in 2007.
• Children’s benefits, including the Canada Child Tax Benefit and the
proposed Universal Child Care Benefit, are expected to be $3.1 billion
higher in 2007–08 than they were in 2004–05. Including the Universal
Child Care Benefit, Canadian families will be receiving $11.8 billion in
support by 2007–08.
169
Major transfers to other levels of government are estimated to decline by

$4.5 billion in 2005–06, reflecting the one-time payments in 2004–05
for the Wait Times Reduction Fund ($4.3 billion) and for the Offshore
Revenues Accords ($2.8 billion) to Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova
Scotia. This decline will be partly offset by the expected payment to
provinces and territories of $3.3 billion under Bill C-48. In the following
two years, major transfers to other levels of government are expected to rise
$2.6 billion and $1.0 billion respectively, reflecting the impact of the 2004
agreement on health, and legislated increases for Equalization and
Territorial Formula Financing.
Direct program expenses are estimated to increase by only $1.8 billion

in 2005–06, primarily because a significant portion of planned spending
did not proceed due to the dissolution of Parliament in November. This
is followed by growth of $7.5 billion in 2006–07, primarily reflecting
measures announced in previous budgets. New measures in the budget
increase direct program expenses by $2.6 billion in 2006–07. Growth in
direct program expenses is projected to slow considerably in 2007–08 to
4.4 per cent.
Wages and benefits comprise approximately one quarter of direct

program expenses. The Government of Canada is committed to maintaining
pension and benefit programs that are responsive to employees’ needs and
competitive with comparable employers while at the same time respecting
the interests of taxpayers. In keeping with this commitment, the
Government proposes to modify the benefit formulae of the public sector
pension plans to better respect their original policy intent. Further, the
Government proposes to clarify the tax-exempt status of the Public Sector
Pension Investment Board to ensure that it is treated as such by
other jurisdictions.
170
Fiscal Outlook
Program Expenses-to-GDP Ratio
Chart 4.2
Program Expenses-to-GDP Ratio
per cent of GDP
14.0
Actual Projection 1
13.5
13.0
12.5
12.0
1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
1
Estimate for 2005–06.
• Program expenses as a share of GDP have been trending upwards over

the past several years and increased sharply in 2004–05 as a result of the
new spending initiatives announced in recent budgets. This trend will be
reversed in 2005–06 and over the next two years as the growth of
program expenses will be kept below the rate of growth of the economy.
• As outlined in Chapter 3, in order to begin to put spending on a more
sustainable track, the President of the Treasury Board will in the coming
months identify savings of $1 billion for 2006–07 and 2007–08. The
Government is also committed to achieving the expected savings from
the 2005 Expenditure Review, which were announced by the previous
government but have just begun to be implemented. It is the
responsibility of all departments to ensure these savings are realized.
171
Debt-to-GDP Ratio and Public Debt Charges
Chart 4.3
Federal Debt-to-GDP Ratio
per cent of GDP per cent of revenues
45 19
Federal debt (left scale)
40 18
Public debt charges (right scale)
35 17
30 16
25 15
20 14
15 13
10 12
2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
The federal debt-to-GDP ratio (accumulated deficit) stood at 38.3 per cent
in 2004–05, down significantly from its peak of 68.4 per cent in
1995–96. Taking into account scheduled debt reduction, it would fall
to 31.7 per cent by 2007–08, on track to meet the medium-term objective
of reducing it to 25 per cent by 2013–14.
As a result, the ratio of public debt charges to government revenues has

declined in recent years to stand at 16.1 per cent in 2004–05. This ratio is
expected to decline further to 14.8 per cent in 2007–08. This means that in
that year, the Government will spend just under 15 cents of each revenue
dollar on interest on the federal debt.
172
Fiscal Outlook
Financial Source/Requirement
Table 4.7
The Budgetary Balance, Non-Budgetary Transactions
and Financial Source/Requirement
2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
Budgetary balance 1.5 8.0 3.0 3.0
Non-budgetary transactions
Pensions and other accounts -1.1 -1.1 2.2 2.3
Non-financial assets 0.0 -0.5 -0.7 -1.1
Loans, investments and advances -4.2 -3.8 -3.2 -2.5
Other transactions 8.6 2.7 -4.3 3.0
Total 3.3 -2.7 -6.0 1.7
Financial source/requirement 4.8 5.3 -3.0 4.7

The budgetary balance is presented on a full accrual basis of accounting,

recording government liabilities and assets when they are incurred or
acquired, regardless of when the cash payment or receipt occurs.
In contrast, the financial source/requirement measures the difference

between cash coming in to the Government and cash going out. This
measure is affected not only by the budgetary balance but also by the
Government’s non-budgetary transactions. These include federal employee
pension accounts, changes in non-financial assets, investing activities
through loans, investments and advances, changes in other financial assets,
liabilities and foreign exchange activities. Non-budgetary transactions also
reflect the conversion from full accrual to cash accounting.
With a budgetary balance of $3.0 billion and a requirement of

$6.0 billion in non-budgetary transactions, a financial requirement of
$3.0 billion is estimated in 2006–07, compared to an estimated financial
source of $5.3 billion in 2005–06. The estimated requirement in 2006–07
is mainly due to the timing of payments under Bill C-48 and refunds
associated with personal income tax reductions effective for the 2005
tax year. This will be financed by reducing cash balances. A financial source
of $4.7 billion is expected in 2007–08.
173
• Pensions and other accounts include the activities of the Government of

Canada’s employee superannuation plans, as well as those for federally
appointed judges and members of Parliament. Since April 2000, the net
amount of contributions less benefit payments related to post-March
2000 service has been invested in capital markets. Contributions and
payments pertaining to pre-April 2000 service are recorded in the
pension accounts. The Government also sponsors a variety of benefit
plans, such as health care and dental plans and disability and other
benefits for war veterans and others. In addition, in 2005–06 the
remaining $2.8 billion in the Canada Pension Plan operating balance
was transferred to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
• Non-financial assets include the cash outlay for the acquisition of new
tangible capital assets, proceeds from the sale of tangible capital assets,
the amortization of existing tangible capital assets, losses on the disposal
of tangible capital assets, the change in inventories, and prepaid expenses.
In the calculation of the budgetary balance, only the amortization of
existing tangible capital assets is included. A net cash requirement
of $0.7 billion is estimated for 2006–07, reflecting a net increase in
the acquisition of tangible capital assets. This component is expected to
rise in 2007–08, in part due to increases in defence capital spending.
• Loans, investments and advances include the Government’s investments
in enterprise Crown corporations, such as Canada Mortgage and
Housing Corporation, Canada Post Corporation, Export Development
Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada. In addition, this
component includes loans, investments and advances to national and
provincial governments and international organizations, and for
government programs. The financial requirement projected for this
component is attributable to the share of annual profits retained by
enterprise Crown corporations and the Canada Student Loans Program.
• Other transactions primarily include the conversion of other accrual
adjustments included in the budgetary balance into cash, as well as
foreign exchange activities. A net financial requirement of $4.3 billion is
expected in 2006–07, followed by a source of $3.0 billion in 2007–08.
The requirement in 2006–07 mainly reflects the expected cash payments
of $3.6 billion under Bill C-48 and refunds associated with personal
income tax reductions effective for the 2005 tax year.
174
Fiscal Outlook
Risks to the Fiscal Projection

Fiscal projections are inherently uncertain due to:
• Uncertainty associated with the underlying economic projections.
• Uncertainty associated with the fiscal projections themselves, including
volatility in the relationship between fiscal variables and the underlying
activity to which they relate.
• The long delays before final fiscal information becomes available.
Uncertainty Arising From

the Economic Projections
Changes in economic assumptions affect the size of projected tax bases and
expenditures that are sensitive to economic factors, such as EI benefits and
public debt charges.
The following tables illustrate the sensitivity of the budget balance to a

number of economic shocks:
• A one-year, 1-per-cent rise in real GDP driven equally by higher
productivity and a 0.5-per-cent increase in employment.
• An increase in nominal GDP resulting solely from a one-year,
1-per-cent increase in the rate of GDP inflation.
• A sustained 100-basis-point increase in all interest rates.
These sensitivities are generalized rules of thumb that assume any

increase in economic activity is proportional across GDP income and
expenditure components. EI premium rates are assumed to adjust such
that EI revenues exactly offset program expenses, consistent with the new
EI rate-setting procedure introduced in 2005. Equal and opposite impacts
would result from a decline of equal magnitude in real or nominal GDP
and interest rates.
175
Table 4.8
Estimated Impact of a One-Year, 1-Per-Cent Increase in Real GDP
on Federal Revenues, Expenses and Budgetary Balance
Year 1 Year 2
Federal revenues
Tax revenues
Personal income tax 1.0 1.3
Corporate income tax 0.3 0.3
Goods and services tax 0.4 0.4
Other tax revenues 0.2 0.2
Total tax revenues 1.9 2.2
Employment insurance premium revenues 0.3 -0.7
Other revenues 0.0 0.0
Total budgetary revenues 2.2 1.6
Federal expenses
Elderly benefits 0.0 0.0
Employment insurance benefits -0.6 -0.7
Total -0.6 -0.7
Other program expenses 0.1 0.2
Public debt charges -0.1 -0.2
Total expenses -0.6 -0.7
Budgetary balance 2.7 2.3

Note: Numbers may not add up due to rounding.
A 1-per-cent increase in real GDP raises the budgetary balance by

$2.7 billion in the first year and $2.3 billion in the second year.
Tax revenues from all sources rise. Personal income tax receipts increase
as employment and wages and salaries rise. Furthermore, due to the
progressivity of the tax system, as individuals earn higher real incomes and
move into higher tax brackets, they pay proportionally more of their income
in taxes. Corporate income tax revenues rise as output and profits increase.
GST revenues increase as a result of higher consumer spending associated
176
Fiscal Outlook
with the rise in employment and personal income. Since premium rates for
a given year are set based on projections carried out in October of the
previous year, EI premium revenues increase in the first year of the shock
(due to higher employment) but decline thereafter, reflecting the
adjustment to the break-even rate.
Expenses decline, mainly reflecting lower spending on EI benefits

(due to a decrease in the level of unemployment) and lower public debt
charges (reflecting a lower stock of debt due to higher revenues being
applied to debt reduction).
Table 4.9
Estimated Impact of a One-Year, 1-Per-Cent Increase in GDP Inflation
on Federal Revenues, Expenses and Budgetary Balance
Year 1 Year 2
Federal revenues
Tax revenues
Personal income tax 1.3 1.3
Corporate income tax 0.3 0.3
Goods and services tax 0.4 0.4
Other tax revenues 0.2 0.2
Total tax revenues 2.2 2.2
Employment insurance premium revenues 0.4 0.1
Other revenues 0.1 0.1
Total budgetary revenues 2.7 2.3
Federal expenses
Elderly benefits 0.3 0.3
Employment insurance benefits 0.0 0.1
Total 0.3 0.4
Other program expenses 0.4 0.5
Public debt charges 0.0 -0.1
Total expenses 0.7 0.8
Budgetary balance 2.0 1.5

177
A 1-per-cent increase in nominal GDP resulting solely from a rise in

prices (assuming that the Consumer Price Index moves in line with GDP
inflation) raises the budgetary balance by $2.0 billion in the first year
and $1.5 billion in the second year.
Higher prices result in higher nominal income and, as a result, personal

income tax, corporate income tax, and GST revenues all increase, reflecting
gains in the underlying nominal tax bases. Compared to the impacts of the
real GDP shock, the effects on personal tax receipts are more pronounced
in the initial year due to the lag with which inflation is reflected in the tax
system (tax brackets are indexed to the percentage change in the Consumer
Price Index for the 12-month period ending September 30 of the previous
year). Over time, the impacts on personal taxes are higher in the real GDP
shock, reflecting higher real income and the progressivity of the tax system.
For the other tax revenue streams, the effects are similar under either the
real or nominal GDP shocks. EI premium revenues increase in response to
higher earnings in the first year but dissipate thereafter as premium rates
adjust to the impact of higher earnings. Unlike the real GDP shock,
EI benefits do not decline since unemployment is unaffected by the rise
in prices.
Partly offsetting higher revenues are the increases in the cost of statutory
programs that are indexed to inflation, such as elderly benefit payments
and the Canada Child Tax Benefit, as well as federal wage and non-wage
expenses, which are assumed to increase in line with prices. Public debt
charges fall due to the lower stock of debt.
Table 4.10
Estimated Impact of a Sustained 100-Basis-Point
Increase in All Interest Rates on Federal Revenues,
Expenses and Budgetary Balance
Year 1 Year 2
Federal revenues 0.4 0.5
Federal expenses 1.4 2.0
Budgetary balance -1.0 -1.5

178
Fiscal Outlook
An increase in interest rates lowers the budgetary balance by $1.0 billion

in the first year and $1.5 billion in the second. The deterioration stems
entirely from increased expenses associated with public debt charges. The
impact on debt charges rises through time as longer-term debt matures
and is refinanced at higher rates. Moderating the overall impact is a rise
in revenues associated with the increase in the rate of return on the
Government’s interest-bearing assets, which are recorded as part of
non-tax revenues.
Uncertainty Associated With Translating

Economic Projections Into Fiscal Projections
Translating the economic forecast into a fiscal projection introduces an
additional level of uncertainty, as the relationship between fiscal variables
and the underlying economic variables fluctuates considerably over time.
By way of illustration, the following reviews uncertainties related to
personal and corporate income taxes.
For personal income taxes, there is a fairly stable relationship between

personal income and personal income tax revenues over long periods of
time, although in any one year this relationship may not hold. The reasons
for this include:
• Differences between taxable income and the National Accounts measure
of personal income (which excludes, for example, pension income and
capital gains, which are part of taxable income).
• Discretion on the part of taxpayers to determine taxable income and tax
liabilities (for example, in deciding how much to contribute to registered
retirement savings plans or when to realize capital gains).
• Changes in the distribution of income across income brackets.
The sensitivity of personal income tax revenues to changes in their base,

personal income, is summarized by a measure called the income elasticity
of personal income tax revenues. This captures the change in tax revenues
resulting from a 1-percentage-point change in personal income. The
elasticity assumption is a key factor in the personal income tax forecast,
as it serves as a benchmark for the translation of the personal income
forecast into the forecast of personal income tax revenues.
179
An extra dollar in personal income generally translates into more than

an extra dollar in personal income tax revenues. In other words, the
elasticity of the personal income tax system should be greater than one, on
average, due to the progressivity of the tax system—taxpayers pay
progressively higher tax rates as their earned income rises. When overall
income rises, some individuals move into higher income brackets and pay a
proportionately greater share of their income gain in taxes. In a “normal”
year, where income gains are distributed evenly across income cohorts and
all sources of income increase at roughly the measured rate of personal
income growth, the elasticity is about 1.2. Through the first 11 months of
2005–06, reflecting strong income gains, the elasticity has been about 1.8,
while in 2001–02, following the stock market correction, the elasticity was
just 0.3. Every percentage point change in the elasticity translates into an
approximately $500 million change in revenues. For planning purposes,
personal income tax elasticity is assumed to average 1.2 over the next
two years.
For corporate income taxes, there are three key sources of uncertainty.
• Provisions in the Income Tax Act allow corporations to smooth income
and losses from year to year, implying that corporate tax payments for a
given year can differ substantially from corporate profits in that same
year. Specifically, corporations may currently carry forward losses for up
to 10 years (this budget proposes to increase this to 20 years) and carry
back current-year losses for up to three years in order to offset taxes
already paid in previous years. Use of these measures is at the discretion
of the corporation, which introduces substantial uncertainty into
the forecast.
• Projected corporate income tax revenues are based on corporate profits
as a share of nominal GDP remaining at historically high levels over
the next two years.
• Divergences in profitability among sectors also play a role. In the current
projection, for example, while corporate profits are expected to remain
at an all-time high as a share of GDP, this strength masks a divergence
between soaring profits in the energy sector and falling manufacturing
sector profits. As such, the outlook for corporate income taxes for
2006–07 and beyond depends heavily on assumptions about energy
prices and how these will affect profitability in the various sectors of
the economy. This divergence, and the potential impact on the
realization and use of losses, could raise or lower the corporate income
tax forecast by as much as $1 billion in 2006–07.
180
Fiscal Outlook
The table below illustrates the sensitivity of total budgetary revenues to

changes to three key forecast assumptions: GDP growth, the personal
income tax (PIT) elasticity and the response of corporate income taxes
(CIT) to corporate profits. These sensitivities represent fluctuations similar
to those seen in recent years.
• If GDP growth were higher (lower) by 0.5 percentage points in
2006–07, then the budgetary balance would be higher (lower) by
$1.2 billion than the level currently forecast (consistent with the average
of the sensitivity estimates for real and nominal GDP sensitivity example
discussed above).
• If PIT elasticity were 0.1 higher (lower) than assumed in 2006–07,
then revenues would be up (down) $0.5 billion from the level
currently forecast.
• If loss utilizations or changes in profitability among sectors are
considerably different than assumed, then CIT revenues could be
$1 billion higher or lower than currently projected.
Table 4.11
Estimated Sensitivity of Budgetary Balance to Assumptions
About GDP Growth, PIT Elasticity and CIT Response to Profits
Impact in
2006–07
GDP growth +/-0.5 percentage points +/-1.2

PIT elasticity +/-0.1 +/-0.5
CIT impact of corporate sector profitability +/-1.0
181
Annex 1
CANADA’S FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT
Introduction
This annex reviews Canada’s financial position on a comparable basis
with those of the other Group of Seven (G7) countries (United States,
United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and Italy). For Canada, the
relevant measure is the total government financial position, which consists
of the federal, provincial-territorial and local government sectors, as well as
the Canada Pension Plan and the Quebec Pension Plan.
On a total government, National Accounts basis:

• Canada was the only G7 country to record a surplus in 2003, 2004
and 2005.
• The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
projects that Canada will be the only G7 country to record a surplus in
both 2006 and 2007.
• Canada’s total government sector net debt burden declined to an
estimated 26.4 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2005, and
has been the lowest in the G7 since 2004.
Looking at the fiscal positions of the federal governments in Canada and

the United States:
• In 2004–05 the Canadian federal government posted a surplus of
C$1.5 billion or 0.1 per cent of GDP, while the U.S. federal government
incurred an “on-budget” deficit of US$494 billion or 4.0 per cent
of GDP.
• For 2005–06, the federal government in Canada is forecasting a surplus of
C$8 billion or 0.6 per cent of GDP, while the U.S. Administration is
projecting an on-budget deficit of US$602 billion or 4.6 per cent of GDP.
• As a result of continued surpluses in Canada and the deterioration in U.S.
federal finances, the federal market debt-to-GDP ratio in Canada fell
below the U.S. figure in 2003–04 for the first time since 1977–78, with
the gap expected to widen in 2005–06.
184
Annex 1
Comparing Fiscal Results Across Countries

• Two important factors need to be taken into account in making
international comparisons: differences in accounting practices among
countries, and differences in financial responsibilities among levels of
government within countries.
• For these reasons, international comparisons rely on the standardized
System of National Accounts estimates for the total government sector
(i.e. the combined national and subnational levels). The OECD produces
a complete series of estimates based on this system. Unless otherwise
indicated, the data presented in this annex are based on the
December 2005 OECD Economic Outlook.
Comparing Fiscal Results Between the Canadian

and the U.S. Federal Governments
• It is important to note that there are certain fundamental differences in
the accounting practices and expenditure responsibilities of the Canadian
and U.S. federal governments. The U.S. federal budgetary balance
includes the substantial surpluses in the Social Security system, whereas
surpluses in the Canada Pension Plan are not included in the Canadian
federal figures. For this reason, the Canadian federal balance is more
comparable with the “on-budget” balance in the U.S. (excluding Social
Security), while U.S. government debt is more comparable with federal
market debt in Canada.
185
Canada is expected to be the only G7 country

to record a surplus in 2006 and 2007
Chart A1.1
Total Government Financial Balances
(National Accounts Basis)
per cent of GDP
2
2004 2005 (estimate) 2006 (projection)
1
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
United United
G7 average France Germany Italy Japan Canada
Kingdom States
Source: OECD Economic Outlook, No. 78 (December 2005).
• Canada was the only G7 country to record a surplus in 2005, according

to OECD estimates of the total government sector financial position.
This was the third consecutive year in which Canada was the only
G7 country in surplus. Canada’s surplus for 2005 was estimated at
1.3 per cent of GDP, compared to an average deficit of 3.9 per cent in
the G7 countries.
• The OECD expects that Canada will continue to be the only G7 country
to post a total government surplus again in 2006 and in 2007.
186
Annex 1
Canada has the lowest net debt burden in the G7
Chart A1.2
Total Government Net Financial Liabilities
(National Accounts Basis)
per cent of GDP
120
1995 2005 (estimate)

100
80
G7 average in 2005
60
40
20
0
G7 average United United France Germany Japan Italy Canada
States1 Kingdom
1
Adjusted to exclude certain government employee pension liabilities to enhance comparability
with other countries’ debt measures.
Sources: OECD Economic Outlook, No. 78 (December 2005); Federal Reserve, Flow of Funds Accounts
of the United States (December 2005); Department of Finance Canada calculations.
• Canada currently has the lowest ratio of total government net financial
liabilities1 to GDP among G7 countries. Canada’s ratio was estimated at
26.4 per cent of GDP in 2005, a significant decline from the peak in
1995. The OECD estimates that Canada will continue to have the lowest
net debt burden in both 2006 and 2007. In contrast, the debt burdens
of all other G7 countries are projected to continue to increase.
1 The OECD uses the term “net financial liabilities” to mean “net debt” of the total
government sector.
187
The federal government in Canada has maintained

a budgetary surplus since 1997–98, unlike the U.S.
Chart A1.3
Federal Budgetary Balances
per cent of GDP
3
Canada United States (on-budget balance)
2
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
1995– 1996– 1997– 1998– 1999– 2000– 2001– 2002– 2003– 2004– 2005–
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Estimate
Note: This chart shows the budgetary balance for Canada and the on-budget balance for the U.S.
for fiscal years ending March 31 and September 30 respectively.
Sources: Canada—Department of Finance Canada. U.S.—Budget of the United States Government,
fiscal year 2007.
• Like the Canadian federal government, the U.S. federal government

moved from large deficits to surpluses in the latter half of the 1990s.
However, since 2000–01 the U.S. has returned to deficits whereas
Canada has recorded successive surpluses.
• The Canadian federal government posted a surplus of C$1.5 billion or
0.1 per cent of GDP in 2004–05, while the U.S. federal government
incurred an “on-budget” deficit of US$494 billion or 4.0 per cent
of GDP. Even when Social Security surpluses are included, the U.S.
“unified budget” deficit was US$318 billion or 2.6 per cent of GDP
in 2004–05.
• While the Canadian federal government is expecting a surplus of
C$8 billion in 2005–06, the U.S. on-budget deficit is expected to
increase to US$602 billion or 4.6 per cent of GDP (with a unified
budget deficit of US$423 billion). The U.S. Administration does not
project a return to balanced budgets for at least the next five years.
188
Annex 1
The federal market debt-to-GDP ratio in Canada

fell below that of the U.S. in 2003–04
Chart A1.4
Federal Market Debt
per cent of GDP
60
Canada United States

50
40
30
20
10
0
1995– 1996– 1997– 1998– 1999– 2000– 2001– 2002– 2003– 2004– 2005–
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Estimate
Note: This chart shows market debt for Canada and debt held by the public for the U.S. for fiscal years
ending March 31 and September 30 respectively. These two measures are the most comparable measures
of the federal debt burden of the two countries.
Sources: Canada—Department of Finance Canada. U.S.—Budget of the United States Government,
fiscal year 2007.
• As a result of continued surpluses at the federal level in Canada and the

deterioration in U.S. federal finances, the federal market debt-to-GDP
ratio in Canada fell below the U.S. figure in 2003–04 for the first time
since 1977–78.
• The Canadian federal market debt-to-GDP ratio fell to 33.8 per cent
in 2004–05 while the U.S. figure rose for the fourth consecutive year
to 37.4 per cent. This gap is expected to widen in 2005–06 as the
Canadian ratio is expected to fall to 31.5 per cent while the U.S. ratio
is expected to rise to 38.5 per cent.
189
Annex 2
THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE
TO THE AUDITOR GENERAL’S
OBSERVATIONS ON THE 2004–05
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Auditor General of Canada expressed a “clean” opinion on the

Government’s financial statements for 2004–05. This means that the
financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Government of Canada.
The Auditor General raised one issue for Parliament’s attention in

her “Observations” on the financial statements for 2004–05. This annex
reviews this Observation and reports on the status of an issue raised by
the Auditor General in previous reports.
Government Reporting Entity

The Public Sector Accounting Board of the Canadian Institute of
Chartered Accountants has issued a revised accounting standard that
provides guidance as to the organizations that should be included within
a government’s reporting entity, for purposes of financial reporting. The
revised standard comes into effect in 2005–06. The overriding criterion
for inclusion is whether the government controls an entity. Control is
defined as “the power to govern the financial and operating policies of
another organization.” The Auditor General notes that this is a particularly
challenging standard to apply because government must consider the
preponderance of evidence to judge whether it controls an organization—
there is no single rule or criterion to establish control.
The Government has determined that, starting in 2005–06, a number

of organizations will be consolidated within the government reporting
entity, including, from a budgetary perspective, the following key entities:
• Canada Foundation for Innovation.
• Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation.
• Sustainable Development Technology Canada.
• Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
The financial statements of the Government of Canada will now reflect

the assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues of these organizations. Transfers
to these organizations will not be treated as expenses until the organizations
make payments to the ultimate recipients of the funds. As this represents
a change in accounting policy, the Government’s financial statements
of prior periods will be restated to give retroactive effect to this change
in accounting treatment, resulting in an estimated cumulative
$5.5-billion decrease in the size of the federal debt as at March 31, 2005.
192
Annex 2
This decrease largely represents government transfers provided to these

organizations that had not yet been paid out to third parties as at
March 31, 2005. This change will also result in an estimated $0.7-billion
decrease in the budgetary balance in 2005–06 and 2006–07 and an
estimated $0.8-billion decrease in 2007–08.
A complete description of the impact of this accounting policy change

and a restatement of financial data for the period 1996–97 to 2004–05
will be presented in the 2006 Public Accounts of Canada to be tabled in
Parliament in the fall.
Netting
In numerous Observations on the Public Accounts of Canada, the Auditor
General expressed concerns regarding the Government’s practice of
presenting financial information in the budget and the monthly Fiscal
Monitor on a net basis, whereby certain disbursements are netted against
budgetary revenues and certain revenues are netted against expenses. This
practice has the effect of reducing both revenues and expenses by an equal
amount, thereby having no impact on the budgetary balance. In contrast,
the Government’s summary financial statements, as well as the financial
statement discussion and analysis contained in the Public Accounts of
Canada, are presented on a gross basis. The Auditor General has argued
that presenting the financial statements on a gross basis more properly
reflects the nature and size of the Government’s revenues and expenses.
The Government has taken action to address this issue and improve
the comparability and transparency of its financial information by presenting
its Budget 2006 forecast on a gross basis. The Annual Financial Report of
the Government of Canada and The Fiscal Monitor results will also be
presented on a gross basis.
As shown in Table A2.1, there are three major components that are
affected by the move to the gross basis of presentation:
• The Canada Child Tax Benefit, which was previously netted against
personal income tax revenues.
• Departmental revenues that are levied for specific services, such as
the contract costs of policing services in provinces, which were netted
against expenses.
• Revenues of consolidated Crown corporations, which were netted
against their total expenses.
193
Table A2.1
Differences Between Net and Gross Reporting
Actual
2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08
(billions of dollars, unless otherwise indicated)
Net revenues 198.7 207.1 213.1 221.6

Percentage of GDP (per cent) 15.4 15.1 14.7 14.6
Less: Adjustments
Canada Child Tax Benefit 8.7 9.1 9.3 9.3
Revenues netted against
program expenses 3.0 3.2 3.2 3.3
Revenues of consolidated
Crown corporations 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
Net adjustment 13.2 13.8 14.0 14.1
Gross revenues 211.9 220.9 227.1 235.8

Net program expenses 163.1 165.4 174.8 182.4

Add: Adjustments
Canada Child Tax Benefit 8.7 9.1 9.3 9.3
Revenues netted against
program expenses 3.0 3.2 3.2 3.3
Revenues of consolidated
Crown corporations 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
Net adjustment 13.2 13.8 14.0 14.1
Gross program expenses 176.3 179.2 188.8 196.5

Presenting results on a gross basis pushes up revenues and program

expenses in 2005–06 by an estimated $13.8 billion each. Thus, there is
no impact on the budgetary balance. As a share of gross domestic product
(GDP), moving to a gross basis increases revenues and program expenses
by approximately 1 percentage point each.
194
Annex 3
TAX MEASURES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
AND NOTICES OF WAYS
AND MEANS MOTIONS
Annex 3
Table of Contents
Tax Measures: Supplementary Information
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Sales and Excise Tax Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

Reducing the GST to 6 Per Cent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Transitional Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Other Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Tobacco Excise Levies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Alcohol Excise Levies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Air Travellers Security Charge Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
GST/HST Treatment of Debt Collection Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Excise Tax on Jewellery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Vintners and Small Brewers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Personal Income Tax Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Personal Income Tax Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Basic Personal Amounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Canada Employment Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Universal Child Care Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Capital Gains of Fishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Mineral Exploration Tax Credit for
Flow-Through Share Investors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Tradespeople’s Tool Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Textbook Tax Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Scholarship and Bursary Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Children’s Fitness Tax Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Pension Income Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Child Disability Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Refundable Medical Expense Supplement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Tax Credit for Public Transit Passes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
197
Donations of Publicly-Listed Securities to Public Charities . . . . . . . 230

Donations of Ecologically-Sensitive Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Large Corporation Dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Business Income Tax Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232

General Corporate Income Tax Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Corporate Surtax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Small Business Limit and Tax Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Non-Capital Losses and Investment Tax Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Federal Capital Tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Minimum Tax on Financial Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Capital Cost Allowance for Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance for Forestry Bioenergy . . . . . . 239
Other Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239

Administrative Provisions (Standardized Accounting) . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Measures Announced in the 2005 Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Functional Currency Tax Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Aboriginal Tax Policy Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Notices of Ways and Means Motions

Notice of Ways and Means Motion
to amend the Excise Tax Act, the Excise Act, 2001,
the Excise Act and the Air Travellers Security Charge Act
relating to the rate reduction for the GST and
the federal component of the HST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
to amend the Excise Tax Act, the Excise Act, 2001,
the Excise Act and the Air Travellers Security Charge Act
relating to other sales tax measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
to amend the Income Tax Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
198
TAX MEASURES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Annex 3
Overview
This annex provides detailed information on each of the tax measures
proposed in the budget.
Table A3.1 lists these measures and provides estimates of their

budgetary impact.
The annex also provides Notices of Ways and Means Motions to amend
the Excise Tax Act, the Excise Act, 2001, the Excise Act, the Air Travellers
Security Charge Act and the Income Tax Act.
201
Table A3.1
Cost of Proposed Measures1
2006–2007 2007–2008
Sales and excise tax measures

Reducing the GST to 6%2 3,520 5,170
Tobacco excise levies – –
Alcohol excise levies – –
Air Travellers Security Charge rates – –
GST/HST treatment of debt collection services – –
Excise tax on jewellery 45 35
Vintners and small brewers 15 20
Personal income tax measures
Personal income tax rates 1,670 1,370
Basic personal amounts 1,080 500
Canada Employment Credit 890 1,815
Capital gains of fishers 60 60
Mineral exploration tax credit for flow-through share investors 90 -25
Tradespeople’s tool expenses 15 15
Textbook tax credit 135 125
Scholarship and bursary income 50 45
Children’s fitness tax credit 40 160
Pension income credit 490 405
Child disability benefit 35 45
Refundable medical expense supplement 15 10
Tax credit for public transit passes 150 220
Donations of publicly-listed securities to public charities 50 50
Donations of ecologically-sensitive land 5 5
Large corporation dividends 375 310
Business income tax measures
General corporate income tax rate3 – –
Corporate surtax3 – 5
Small business limit and tax rate 10 80
Non-capital losses and investment tax credits – –
Federal capital tax 795 225
Minimum tax on financial institutions 15 30
Apprenticeship job creation tax credit 190 200
Capital cost allowance for tools 60 65
Accelerated capital cost allowance for forestry bioenergy 10 20
Other measures
Administrative provisions (standardized accounting) – –
Measures announced in the 2005 budget3 220 255
1 A “–” indicates a nil or small amount. A negative amount indicates increased tax revenues.
2 Costs include adjustments to excise levies on tobacco and alcohol.
3 These amounts have previously been fully accounted for in the fiscal framework.
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Annex 3
Sales and Excise Tax Measures

Reducing the GST to 6 Per Cent
The goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) is a
consumption tax that applies to the majority of goods and services
consumed in Canada. GST/HST is imposed under the Excise Tax Act at
the rate of 7 per cent, and in the harmonized provinces (Nova Scotia,
New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador), as the 7 per cent
federal component of the combined 15 per cent federal-provincial HST.
Subsequent references to the GST should be read as also referring to the
federal component of the HST.
Budget 2006 proposes to reduce the GST rate by one percentage point,
from 7 to 6 per cent, effective July 1, 2006. Budget 2006 also proposes
to maintain the GST credit at current levels for low- and modest-income
Canadians and to retain the existing GST rebate rates for new housing and
purchases made by public service bodies.
To facilitate the transition to the lower rate, Budget 2006 proposes

transitional rules for determining the GST rate applicable to transactions
that straddle the July 1, 2006 implementation date. These rules, which are
outlined below, will provide certainty for suppliers and consumers and are
intended to minimize the compliance and administrative costs of changing
to the new 6 per cent rate. Other proposed changes associated with the
rate reduction are also outlined below.
The Minister of Finance will propose amendments to the Excise Tax Act
and related regulations at the earliest opportunity in order to implement the
change to a 6 per cent rate of GST.
Transitional Rules
The general transitional rule, which will be based upon the time at which
the GST in respect of a transaction becomes payable, is outlined below:
• If GST becomes payable, or is paid without having become payable,
before July 1, 2006, the rate of 7 per cent will apply.
• If GST becomes payable on or after July 1, 2006, without having been
paid before that day, the rate of 6 per cent will apply.
• If GST is paid on or after July 1, 2006, without having become payable
before that day, the rate of 6 per cent will apply.
203
The Excise Tax Act has a number of existing provisions that will be
relevant in determining when GST becomes payable.
In general, the GST on consideration for a supply is payable on the earlier

of the day payment is made and the day the supplier issues an invoice.
Further, if either the date of an invoice, or the payment date under a written
agreement, is earlier than the day the invoice is issued, GST becomes
payable on the earlier date.
Provisions of the Excise Tax Act that normally determine when GST is
payable will apply to determine the appropriate rate of tax. For example,
in the case of a lease, GST becomes payable on the earlier of the day
the payment is made and the day it is required to be made under the
lease agreement.
In addition to the application of the general transitional rule described

above, certain types of transactions will have specific transitional rules
described below.
(a) Sales of Real Property

Under the proposed measures, the following specific transitional rules will
apply in respect of sales of real property.
Ownership or Possession Transferred before July 1, 2006:

The 7 per cent rate will apply to all of the consideration for a supply by
way of sale of real property if ownership of the property, or possession of
it under the agreement of purchase and sale, is transferred to the buyer
before July 1, 2006.
Ownership and Possession Transferred on or after July 1, 2006:

The 6 per cent rate will apply to all of the consideration for a supply by way
of sale of real property if under an agreement of purchase and sale entered
into after May 2, 2006, both ownership of the property, and possession of it
under the agreement, are transferred to the buyer on or after July 1, 2006.
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Annex 3
Written Agreement Entered Into on or before May 2, 2006:

For sales of houses, apartment buildings and other residential complexes,
made pursuant to a written agreement entered into on or before May 2,
2006, GST will apply at the rate of 7 per cent, even if ownership and
possession of the real property are both transferred on or after July 1, 2006.
In these circumstances, where transfer of ownership and possession both
take place on or after July 1, 2006, the purchaser will be entitled to
file a claim with the Canada Revenue Agency to be paid a Transitional
Adjustment that reflects the GST rate reduction to 6 per cent net of any
corresponding rebate adjustment.
Table A3.2
Application of Transitional Rules to New Housing
Tax Included Tax Remitted
Price (GST Less Net GST
($200,000 New Housing Transitional Paid by
Situation house) Rebate) Adjustment Buyer
Ownership or possession is
transferred before July 1:
GST at 7%. $208,960 $8,9601 N/A $8,960
Agreement of purchase
and sale is signed after
May 2, 2006, and ownership
and possession are
transferred on or after July 1:
GST at 6% (Purchaser does
not get the Transitional
Adjustment). $207,680 $7,6802 N/A $7,680
Ownership and possession
are transferred on or after
July 1 but the agreement
of purchase and sale was
signed on or before
May 2, 2006: GST at 7%
(Purchaser can claim a
Transitional Adjustment). $208,960 $8,9603 ($1,280)4 $7,6805
1 $8,960 = GST at 7 per cent ($14,000) less rebate of $5,040 (36% of $14,000).
4 $1,280 = GST at 1 per cent ($2,000) less rebate of $720 (36% of $2,000).
5 $7,680 = GST at 7 per cent ($14,000) less rebate of $5,040 (36% of $14,000) less Transitional Adjustment
of $1,280.
205
(b) Deemed Supplies

The Excise Tax Act provides for deemed supplies in a number of
circumstances. Under the proposed rules, the rate of 6 per cent will
generally be used to determine GST that is deemed under the Excise Tax
Act to be paid, or collected, on or after July 1, 2006. For example,
a landlord who is deemed to have paid and collected GST on or after
July 1, 2006 on the fair market value of a newly constructed apartment
building would calculate the GST on the fair market value at the rate of
6 per cent.
(c) Imported Goods and Imported Taxable Services

and Intangibles
Under the proposed measures, specific transitional rules will also apply in
respect of imported goods and imported taxable services and intangibles.
Imported Goods: GST at the rate of 6 per cent will apply to goods that
are either imported on or after July 1, 2006, or released from Customs’
control on or after July 1, 2006.
Imported Taxable Services and Intangibles: GST on imported taxable

services and intangibles is usually payable the earlier of the day the
consideration is paid and the day that consideration becomes due. The
general transitional rule outlined above will determine the rate of tax to
be applied in these circumstances.
Financial Institutions: Under a proposed measure announced on

November 17, 2005, financial institutions will be required to self-assess
GST on certain cross-border transactions using a special set of rules. GST
on these transactions will be determined on an annual basis and in general,
will become payable six months after the end of the financial institution’s
taxation year.
If a financial institution’s taxation year begins before July 1, 2006, and

ends on or after that day, the financial institution will be required to
apportion the total amount of qualifying consideration for the taxation
year on which it is required to self-assess GST under the proposed measure.
The apportionment will be based upon the ratio of the number of days
in the taxation year that occur before July 1, 2006, to the total days in
the taxation year. GST on the amount allocated to the period before
July 1, 2006, will be calculated at the rate of 7 per cent and GST on
the remaining amount of qualifying consideration will apply at the rate
of 6 per cent.
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Annex 3
(d) Taxable Benefits; Passenger Vehicles and Aircraft;

and Employee/Partner Rebates
In certain circumstances, a tax, credit or rebate in respect of the GST is
calculated based on amounts determined for income tax purposes and in
reference to the calendar year or a person’s taxation year. Specifically, this
is the case in the determination of the GST on certain taxable benefits for
employees and shareholders, certain input tax credits in respect of passenger
vehicles and aircraft not being used exclusively in commercial activities, and
rebates of GST to employees or partners with respect to certain expenses.
In these cases, the GST, the input tax credit or the GST rebate is
calculated by multiplying the amount determined for income tax purposes
by a factor specified in the Excise Tax Act or a rate prescribed in the
related regulations. These factors and rates will be adjusted to reflect the
July 1, 2006, GST rate reduction. In particular, the prescribed rate for
calculating the GST on the automobile operating expense benefit, which
is currently 5 per cent, will be 4.5 per cent for the 2006 taxation year and
4 per cent thereafter, and for calculating the HST, the prescribed rate,
which is currently 11 per cent, will be 10.5 per cent and 10 per cent
respectively.
(e) Anti-Avoidance Provision

Budget 2006 also proposes that rules be implemented to maintain the
integrity of the GST system through the transition period. These rules are
intended to prevent inappropriate tax savings in cases where transactions
are undertaken between non-arm’s length parties to obtain the benefit of
the rate reduction, rather than primarily for commercial purposes.
Other Measures
A number of consequential amendments are proposed as a result of the
GST rate reduction.
Housing Rebates: Individuals who purchase or construct a new home,

or substantially renovate an existing home, for use as their primary place
of residence are generally entitled to a rebate of part of the GST that they
pay in the course of the purchase, construction or substantial renovation.
The maximum amount of the rebate is equal to the lesser of 36 per cent
of the GST paid and $8,750. For homes that cost more than $350,000,
the rebate is phased out so that no rebate is available for homes valued
207
at more than $450,000. The rebate was introduced to reduce the GST rate
on new homes to approximately 4.5 per cent, which was consistent with the
effective tax rate under the predecessor of the GST, the Federal Sales Tax.
The rebate percentage of 36 per cent, and the lower and upper phase-out
thresholds of $350,000 and $450,000 respectively, will not change as a
result of the rate reduction; however, the maximum dollar value of the
rebate, which is currently set at $8,750, will be adjusted to $7,560
(i.e. 36 per cent of the GST paid at the 6 per cent rate on a $350,000
home). The maximum dollar amount will be also adjusted for other
similarly structured housing rebate provisions in the Excise Tax Act.
The GST-included upper and lower phase-out values of the “Rebate

for Purchasers of Shares in a Cooperative Housing Corporation” and the
“New Housing Rebate for Building Only” will be adjusted to reflect
the lower rate of GST.
Table A3.3 below provides examples of how new homebuyers will benefit
from the GST rate reduction.
Table A3.3
Application of Transitional Rules to New Housing
House Current Proposed Effective Tax
Price GST GST Rate After
(before Rate Rate Tax the Rate
GST) (7%) (6%) Savings Reduction
$200,000 Gross GST $14,000 $12,000
Rebate* $5,040 $4,320
Net GST $8,960 $7,680 $1,280 3.84%
$300,000 Gross GST $21,000 $18,000

Rebate* $7,560 $6,480
Net GST $13,440 $11,520 $1,920 3.84%
$400,000 Gross GST $28,000 $24,000

Rebate* $4,375 $3,780
Net GST $23,625 $20,220 $3,405 5.06%
$500,000 Gross GST $35,000 $30,000

Rebate* $0 $0
Net GST $35,000 $30,000 $5,000 6%
* The rebate is 36% of the GST paid. Maximum rebate available is $8,750 under 7% GST and $7,560 under
6% GST. The rebate is phased out for homes priced between $350,000 and $450,000. No rebate available
for homes priced at $450,000 and above.
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Annex 3
Public Service Bodies: The existing rebate percentages used to calculate

rebates of the otherwise unrecoverable GST claimed by charities, qualifying
non-profit organizations and selected public service bodies (including
municipalities, universities, public colleges, schools and hospitals) will
not change.
Budget 2006 proposes changes to the rules which apply to public service
bodies that revoke an election made under section 211 of the Excise Tax
Act. In these circumstances, the public service body will be deemed to
have paid and collected tax equal to the basic tax content of the property,
rather than tax calculated on its fair market value. Basic tax content is
unrecoverable GST embedded in the cost of a property. Since the basic tax
content is an amount of tax that already takes into account rebates, the
deemed tax collected upon revocation of the election will no longer qualify
for the public service body rebate. This change is proposed to apply in
respect of elections that are revoked on or after May 2, 2006.
Streamlined Accounting Methods: Small businesses, as well as eligible

public service bodies, can use a Quick or Special Quick Method of
Accounting to simplify compliance. Under these methods, taxpayers
multiply eligible GST/HST-included sales by a reduced percentage and
remit that amount to the government in lieu of tracking and claiming input
tax credits for most of the tax they pay. The percentages used are specified
in the Streamlined Accounting (GST/HST) Regulations.
As a result of the proposed rate reduction, the specified percentages will

change to those shown in the tables below. The new percentages will apply
to reporting periods that begin on or after July 1, 2006. For reporting
periods that straddle July 1, 2006, the existing percentages will apply to
consideration that becomes due, or is paid without having become being
due, before July 1, 2006, and the new percentages will apply to the
remaining consideration.
The following tables illustrate the effect of the proposed measures.

(“Participating provinces” means the provinces of Nova Scotia, New
Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador where the GST/HST will
apply at a combined rate of 14 per cent.)
209
Table A3.4
Remittance Rates for Business Registrants Using the Quick Method
of Accounting That Mainly Purchase Goods for Resale
Supplies Made in Supplies Made in
Participating Provinces Non-Participating Provinces
Permanent
establishment in: Current Rate New Rate Current Rate New Rate
Non-participating province 9.3% 9.0% 2.5% 2.2%
Participating provinces 5.0% 4.7% 0.0%* 0.0%*
(2.1% credit)* (2.5% credit)*
* Businesses who use the 0% remittance rate for eligible sales are entitled to a credit on those sales as
they generally pay HST on their inputs but collect GST on those sales.
Table A3.5
Remittance Rates for Business Registrants Using the Quick Method
of Accounting that Mainly Provide Services
Permanent
Participating provinces 10.0% 9.4% 3.2% 2.6%
Table A3.6
Remittance Rates for Registrants Acting in Their Capacity as
a University or Public College (if Supplies Through Vending Machines
Account for at Least 25% of Total Supplies)
Permanent
Non-participating provinces 12.2% 11.5% 5.6% 4.8%
Nova Scotia 11.2% 10.5% 4.5% 3.8%
Newfoundland and Labrador
or New Brunswick 9.1% 8.5% 2.3% 1.6%
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Annex 3
Table A3.7
a University or Public College (if Supplies Through Vending Machines
Account for Less Than 25% of Total Supplies)
Permanent
Nova Scotia 12.0% 11.3% 5.4% 4.6%
or New Brunswick 10.8% 10.1% 4.1% 3.3%
Table A3.8
a Specified Facility Operator, Qualifying Non-Profit Organization
or Designated Charity
Permanent
Participating provinces 10.0% 9.4% 3.2% 2.5%
Table A3.9
Remittance Rates for Registrants Acting in Their Capacity
as a School Authority
Permanent
Nova Scotia 12.0% 11.3% 5.4% 4.6%
or New Brunswick 10.7% 10.0% 4.1% 3.2%
211
Table A3.10
Remittance Rates for Registrants Acting in Their Capacity
as a Municipality
Permanent
Nova Scotia or New Brunswick 12.3% 11.5% 5.7% 4.8%
Newfoundland and Labrador 11.2% 10.5% 4.6% 3.7%
Table A3.11
a Hospital Authority, External Supplier or Facility Operator
Permanent
Nova Scotia 12.4% 11.6% 5.8% 5.0%
or New Brunswick 10.6% 9.8% 3.9% 3.0%
Tobacco Excise Levies

The federal government taxes tobacco products both through a targeted
excise duty and the broad-based GST. The excise duty is imposed on the
manufacture or importation of tobacco products. The GST is a multi-stage
tax that is ultimately levied on an ad valorem basis on the final selling price.
These taxes affect the price of tobacco products, and price is one of the key
factors influencing tobacco consumption, affecting both the decision to
smoke and the frequency of use by continuing smokers.
In line with the Government’s promotion of health and wellness,

Budget 2006 proposes to increase tobacco excise duties to offset the impact
of the GST rate reduction. The following table shows the federal excise
duty increases that will apply beginning July 1, 2006, concurrent with
the effective date of the 1 percentage-point reduction of the GST.
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Annex 3
Table A3.12
Tobacco Excise Duty Rate Structure
Proposed Duty Rates
Proposed Increase as of July 1, 2006
Cigarettes 0.28 cents per cigarette $16.41 per carton
(200 cigarettes)
Tobacco sticks 0.25 cents per stick $12.10 per carton
(200 sticks)
Manufactured tobacco 0.19 cents per gram $11.18 per
200 grams
Cigars 0.28 cents per cigar $0.0166 per cigar plus
and 1% of the sale price the greater of $0.066
per cigar and 66% of
the sale price
Inventory Tax
Excise duty is imposed on tobacco products manufactured in Canada at
the time manufacturers package them and on imported tobacco products at
the time of importation. The new excise duty rates apply only to tobacco
products that are packaged or imported on or after July 1, 2006. This
means that, in the absence of a special provision, inventories held by a
taxpayer on July 1, 2006 would be subject to the old lower rates of excise
duty and to the new lower GST rate.
To ensure that the increases are applied in a consistent manner to all

tobacco products at different trade levels, as well as to prevent tax avoidance
through inventory build-ups, the proposed excise duty increases will also be
applied to inventories.
It is proposed that inventories of cigarettes, tobacco sticks, fine-cut

tobacco products and cigars held by manufacturers, importers, wholesalers
and retailers at the end of June 30, 2006 be subject to per unit taxes of
0.2799 cents, 0.2517 cents, 0.1919 cents, and 0.1814 cents respectively—
where a unit is a cigarette, a tobacco stick, a gram of fine cut tobacco or a
cigar. Taxpayers may use any reasonable method for establishing their
inventories of these products, including a physical count.
In order to simplify compliance, this inventory tax will not apply to

retailers holding 30,000 or fewer units (equivalent to 150 cartons of
cigarettes) at the end of the day on June 30, 2006. A threshold at this level
largely ensures that the tax on inventories will only apply to manufacturers,
importers, wholesalers, and relatively large retailers. In addition, the tax will
213
not apply to tobacco products held in vending machines. An extended

period will be provided for remittance of the tax, allowing taxpayers until
August 31, 2006 to file returns and pay the tax. Interest will apply after that
date on late or deficient payments.
Alcohol Excise Levies

As with tobacco products, the federal government taxes alcohol products
both through a targeted excise duty and the broad-based GST.
Budget 2006 proposes to increase alcohol excise duties to offset the

impact of the GST rate reduction. The following federal excise duty
increases are to be effective July 1, 2006, concurrent with the effective date
of the 1 percentage-point reduction in the GST:
Table A3.13
Alcohol Excise Duty Rate Structure
Proposed Duty Rates
Proposed Increase as of July 1, 2006
Spirits with greater than 7% 0.63 cents per litre $11.696 per litre of
alcohol by volume of absolute ethyl alcohol absolute ethyl alcohol
Wine with greater than 7%
alcohol by volume 0.1078 cents per litre $0.62 per litre
Spirits with 0.5% to 7%
alcohol by volume; and
wine with 1.2% to 7%
Beer with greater than 2.5%
Beer with 1.2% to 2.5%
Air Travellers Security Charge (ATSC) Rates

ATSC rates are structured to include, where applicable, the goods and
services tax or the federal portion of the harmonized sales tax (GST/HST).
As a result of the GST/HST rate reduction, certain technical adjustments
to ATSC rates are required in order to ensure that consumers receive
the full benefit of the rate reduction. The proposed rates are shown in
Table A3.14, below. The ATSC rate for other international air travel is not
subject to the GST/HST and will remain unchanged.
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Annex 3
The new rates will apply to tickets purchased on or after July 1, 2006.
Table A3.14
ATSC Rate Structure*
Current rates Proposed new rates
Domestic (one-way) $5.00 $4.95
Domestic (round-trip) $10.00 $9.90
Transborder $8.50 $8.42
Other international $17.00 $17.00
* The above amounts include the GST or the federal portion of the HST where applicable.
GST/HST Treatment of Debt Collection Services

Budget 2006 confirms that debt collection services that are generally
provided by collection agents to financial institutions are not financial
services for GST/HST purposes and are therefore taxable.
Excise Tax on Jewellery

An excise tax is imposed under the Excise Tax Act on jewellery
manufactured and sold in, or imported into, Canada. The tax is payable by
manufacturers on the sale price of domestically produced jewellery at the
time of delivery to the purchaser, and by importers on the duty-paid value
of imported jewellery in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Act.
Jewellery exported from Canada is exempt from the tax. In addition to
jewellery, whether real or imitation, the tax also applies to clocks (with a
value greater than $50) and articles made of semi-precious stones.
The proposed repeal of the excise tax applies to deliveries or importation

of jewellery, clocks and articles made of semi-precious stones, on or after
May 2, 2006, in accordance with the provisions of the Excise Tax Act that
govern by whom and when the tax is payable.
Vintners and Small Brewers

Budget 2006 proposes to support vintners and small- and medium-sized
brewers by reducing the excise duties on certain wines and beer.
215
Excise Duty on Wine

Excise duty is imposed under the Excise Act, 2001 on wine produced in
Canada. The duty is imposed on the product at the time of packaging.
Exports are exempt. In the case of imported wine, the duty is levied under
the Customs Tariff at the time of importation. All producers and importers
are required to hold a licence under the Act. Payment of the duty is
deferred if the wine is placed in the producer’s excise warehouse or
delivered to the excise warehouse of a provincial liquor board.
Budget 2006 proposes to exempt from duty the first 500,000 litres of
wine produced and packaged by a wine licensee per year made from
100 per cent Canadian-grown agricultural products.
The proposed relief will apply to all goods falling within the definition of
wine in the Act (including ciders, wine coolers, fruit wines and sake) made
from 100 per cent Canadian-grown agricultural products. The relief will be
available to wine licensees operating in Canada.
The 500,000-litre threshold will be based on the quantity a licensee

produces and packages during their particular fiscal year, for fiscal years that
begin on or after July 1, 2006. If a licensee’s current fiscal year commenced
before July 1, 2006, the licensee will be eligible for relief in their current
fiscal year in respect of their first 500,000 litres times the number of whole
months remaining in the fiscal year divided by 12. For example, a vintner
with a fiscal year beginning April 1, 2006 would be eligible for relief on the
first 375,000 litres (500,000 litres times 9 divided by 12) in that fiscal year.
The 500,000-litre threshold calculation will include all eligible wine

produced and packaged in Canada in a fiscal year, including wine that has
been exempted or relieved from duty under the Act (e.g. for export, sale to
duty free shops, or delivery for use as ships’ stores). The threshold includes
all wine produced by a wine licensee and packaged on behalf of the licensee.
To maintain the integrity of the excise duty system, associated company

and related person rules similar to those in the Income Tax Act will be
applicable. Wine licensees will also be responsible for maintaining adequate
books and records to substantiate any relief claimed.
This measure will apply to wine packaged on or after July 1, 2006.
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Annex 3
Excise Duty on Beer

Excise duty is imposed under the Excise Act on beer produced in Canada.
The duty is payable at the time of packaging. Exports are exempt. In the
case of imported beer, the duty is levied under the Customs Tariff on the
beer at the time of importation.
Budget 2006 proposes excise duty relief for beer produced by small and
mid-sized brewers as set out in the following table:
Table A3.15
Excise Duty Relief for Beer Produced by Small and Mid-Sized Brewers
Annual Production Excise Duty Proposed Rates as of
Volume (hectolitres) Reduction July 1, 2006 for Regular Beer1
First 2,000 -90 % $3.122/hl
Next 3,000
(2,001 – 5,000) -80 % $6.244/hl
Next 10,000
(5,001 – 15,000) -60 % $12.488/hl
Next 35,000
(15,001 – 50,000) -30 % $21.854/hl
Next 25,000
(50,001 – 75,000) -15 % $26.537/hl
Over 75,000 Regular rate $31.220/hl
1 Greater than 2.5% alcohol by volume.
Reduced rates of excise duty will apply to licensed Canadian brewers who
have produced and packaged no more than 300,000 hectolitres (hl) of beer
in the previous calendar year and do not exceed that limit in the current
calendar year. Any brewer that exceeds the threshold or otherwise does not
qualify for the duty relief in any calendar year will be required to pay the
full rate of excise duty on all beer produced and packaged in that calendar
year. Any excise duty relief already claimed during that calendar year will be
required to be repaid with interest, starting from the first day that the
amount should have been paid.
217
The 300,000 hl threshold calculation includes all beer produced and

packaged by a licensed Canadian brewer in a calendar year, including
exported beer. If a beer licensee packages beer produced by a different
brewer, that quantity of beer is applied against the threshold of the licensee
who is ultimately responsible for paying the duty.
For 2006, licensed Canadian brewers will be eligible for relief only in
respect of beer they package on or after July 1, 2006. To qualify for the
reduced rates in 2006, these producers must have produced and packaged
no more than 300,000 hl in 2005 and not exceed that level in all of 2006.
To maintain the integrity of the excise duty system, associated company

and related person rules similar to those in the Income Tax Act will be
applicable. Licensed Canadian brewers will be responsible for maintaining
adequate books and records to substantiate any relief claimed. Additional
compliance and administrative mechanisms will also be introduced.
The proposed excise duty relief will apply to qualifying beer packaged on
or after July 1, 2006.
Personal Income Tax Measures

Personal Income Tax Rates
The lowest personal income tax rate will be reduced to 15 per cent
from 16 per cent effective January 1, 2005. The rate will be 15.5 per cent
effective July 1, 2006. Accordingly, the full-year rate for 2005 will be
15 per cent, for 2006, 15.25 per cent and, for the 2007 and subsequent
taxation years, 15.5 per cent. For the 2005 taxation year the 15-per-cent
rate applies to taxable incomes of up to $35,595. For the 2006 taxation
year the 15.25-per-cent rate will apply to taxable incomes of up to $36,378.
The upper limit for the application of the 15.5-per-cent rate will be indexed
for taxation years after 2006. These rates will also be generally used to
calculate non-refundable tax credits and the alternative minimum tax for the
2005 and subsequent taxation years.
Basic Personal Amounts

The basic personal amount—the amount that an individual can earn
without paying federal personal income tax—will be increased by $500 to
$8,648 for the 2005 taxation year. For the first half of 2006 it will then be
increased by indexation plus a further $200, for a total of $9,039. The basic
personal amount will be reduced by $400 to $8,639 on July 1, 2006 at the
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Annex 3
same time as the GST rate is reduced. For the purpose of calculating
personal income taxes for the 2006 taxation year, these two half-year
amounts will be applied as an annual average of $8,839. For 2007, the
$8,639 amount will be increased by indexation plus an additional $100.
For 2008, it will be increased by indexation plus an additional $200.
For 2009, it will be increased by indexation plus the greater of $600 and
the amount required to raise the basic personal amount to $10,000.
Personal amounts in respect of a spouse or common-law partner or

wholly dependant relative will also be adjusted. Specifically, for the
2005 taxation year these amounts will be increased by $425 to $7,344.
For the first half of 2006 they will then be increased by indexation plus a
further $170, for a total of $7,675. The amount will be reduced by $340 to
$7,335 on July 1, 2006 at the same time as the GST rate is reduced. For
the purpose of calculating personal income taxes for the 2006 taxation year,
these two half-year amounts will be applied as an annual average of $7,505.
For 2007, the $7,335 amount will be increased by indexation plus an
additional $85. For 2008, it will be increased by indexation plus an
additional $170. For 2009, it will be increased by indexation plus the
greater of $510 and the amount required to raise these amounts to $8,500.
Canada Employment Credit

Budget 2006 proposes to introduce a new Canada Employment Credit in
recognition of work-related expenses incurred by employees.
The new credit will take effect July 1, 2006, and will provide tax relief on
the lesser of $500 and the individual’s employment income for the year.
Because this measure will take effect mid-year, the maximum amount on
which the credit is calculated will be $250 for the 2006 taxation year. For
the 2007 and subsequent taxation years, the maximum amount on which
the credit is calculated will be increased to $1,000. The tax credit for a
taxation year will be calculated by reference to the lowest personal income
tax rate for the taxation year (i.e. 15.25 per cent for 2006 and 15.5 per cent
for the 2007 and subsequent taxation years). The amount on which the
credit is based will be indexed after 2007.
Universal Child Care Benefit

Budget 2006 proposes to introduce, effective July 2006, the Universal
Child Care Benefit (UCCB), to provide all families with $100 per month
($1,200 per year) for each child under the age of 6 years. There will be a
number of changes to the Income Tax Act consequential to the
introduction of the UCCB.
219
Amendments to the Income Tax Act will be made to provide that

amounts received under the UCCB will be taxable in the hands of the
lower-income spouse or common-law partner. However, amounts received
under the UCCB will not be taken into account for the purposes of
calculating income-tested benefits delivered through the income tax system.
In addition, the UCCB will not reduce Old Age Security or Employment
Insurance benefits, and will not reduce the amount of expenses claimable
under the child care expense deduction.
Amendments will, however, be made to the structure of the CCTB to

reflect the introduction of the UCCB. Currently, the CCTB has three
components: the CCTB base benefit, the National Child Benefit
supplement, and the Child Disability Benefit. The CCTB base benefit is
enhanced for children under the age of 7 years. With the introduction of
the UCCB, the CCTB enhancement to the base benefit will be eliminated,
generally as of July 1, 2006. However, in respect of children who attain the
age of 6 years on or before June 30, 2007, the enhancement will remain in
place for those months before July 2007 for which no UCCB is receivable.
The Income Tax Act will be amended to permit information sharing

by the Canada Revenue Agency for the purpose of the administration of
the UCCB.
Capital Gains of Fishers

When individuals sell or transfer property used in a fishing business, the
property is not currently eligible for the $500,000 lifetime capital gains
exemption that is available for farm property and small business shares, nor
generally for the intergenerational rollovers applicable to farming property.
Budget 2006 proposes a number of income tax measures concerning

dispositions by an individual of property used in a family fishing business.
The measures, which are described in more detail below, will apply to
dispositions of fishing property and qualified fishing property that take place
on or after May 2, 2006.
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Annex 3
Intergenerational Rollover: Transfers of Fishing

Property to a Child
As a general rule, if property of an individual is transferred (either by way of
an inter vivos transfer, or as a consequence of the individual’s death) to the
individual’s child or grandchild, the transfer is treated as having taken place
at fair market value. Any resulting gain or loss is included in computing the
individual’s income.
Budget 2006 proposes to allow a tax deferral in certain circumstances

where an individual’s fishing property is transferred to the individual’s child
or grandchild.
For the purpose of the new measures, fishing property will be land,
depreciable property and eligible capital property that is used principally
in a fishing business carried on in Canada in which the individual, or the
individual’s spouse or common-law partner, parent, child or grandchild,
was actively engaged on a regular and continuous basis. It will also include
shares of the capital stock of family fishing corporations and interests in
family fishing partnerships. Definitions of these terms and related terms will
parallel the existing definitions in the Income Tax Act in respect of the tax
deferral (rollover) for intergenerational transfers of shares of a family farm
corporation, or of an interest in a family farm partnership.
Under the intergenerational rollover, the individual’s proceeds of

disposition and the child’s (or grandchild’s) cost of the property would
generally be set at the individual’s cost amount of the property. In the case
of eligible capital property, the individual’s proceeds and the child’s (or
grandchild’s) cost of the property are determined in a manner that would
result in no income, gain or loss to the individual and permit the child (or
grandchild) to assume the individual’s tax position in respect of that
property. In the case of depreciable property, any deferred recapture will be
taken into account in computing any potential recapture on a subsequent
disposition of the property by the child (or grandchild). Similar rules will
apply in respect of eligible capital property.
Special rules, similar to the existing provisions applicable to the

intergenerational rollovers for farm property, will apply where the individual
actually receives proceeds of disposition.
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Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption—

Qualified Fishing Property
This budget measure proposes that an individual be allowed access to the
$500,000 lifetime capital gains exemption (LCGE) in respect of capital
gains arising on a disposition of qualified fishing property.
Qualified fishing property will include real property, fishing vessels and
eligible capital property used principally in a fishing business carried on in
Canada in which the individual, or the individual’s spouse or common-law
partner, parent, child or grandchild, was actively engaged on a regular and
continuous basis. It will also include shares of the capital stock of family
fishing corporations and interests in family fishing partnerships, of the
individual. The definitions of the terms “qualified fishing property”, “share
of the capital stock of a family fishing corporation” and “interest in a family
fishing partnership” and related terms will generally be similar to existing
definitions provided for the terms “qualified farm property”, “share of the
capital stock of family farm corporation” and “interest in a family farm
partnership” and related terms for the purposes of the LCGE.
As a general rule, one half of gains from the disposition of eligible capital
property are included in computing an individual’s business income.
However, existing provisions in the Income Tax Act allow individuals to
report a gain from the disposition of an eligible capital property that is a
qualified farm property as a capital gain for the purposes of the determining
the individual’s eligibility for the LCGE. In order to provide comparable
treatment, Budget 2006 proposes measures that will extend the scope of
these provisions to include eligible capital property, such as an interest in a
fishing licence, that is qualified fishing property.
Reserve Allowed on Certain Dispositions

of Fishing Assets
In computing a taxpayer’s capital gain for a taxation year from the
disposition of a capital property, a taxpayer is permitted to claim a
reasonable reserve in respect of amounts of proceeds that have not been
received by the taxpayer. The maximum reserve period is generally limited
to five years. However, special rules apply in respect of transfers by an
individual of farm property to an individual’s child or grandchild to increase
the maximum reserve period to 10 years. Budget 2006 proposes measures
that will extend the scope of this measure to include fishing property as
defined for the purposes of the intergenerational rollover.
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Annex 3
Mineral Exploration Tax Credit for

Flow-Through Share Investors
In the late 1990s, the mining industry experienced a period of low mineral
prices and a consequential downturn in exploration activity. To promote
exploration and help moderate the impact of the downturn on mining
communities, a temporary mineral exploration tax credit for investors in
flow-through shares was introduced effective October 2000.
Flow-through shares allow companies to renounce or ‘flow through’ tax

expenses associated with their Canadian exploration activities to investors,
who can deduct the expenses in calculating their own taxable income. This
facilitates the raising of equity to fund exploration by enabling companies to
sell their shares at a premium. The temporary credit was an additional
benefit, available to individuals investing in flow-through shares, equal to
15 per cent of specified mineral exploration expenses incurred in Canada
and renounced to flow-through share investors. Under the existing rules,
the credit expired for flow-through share agreements entered into after
December 31, 2005. Under a special “look-back” rule, expenses in respect
of flow-through share agreements entered into in 2005 can be incurred up
to the end of 2006 and still be eligible for the credit for 2005.
Driven by considerably improved market conditions and assisted by the

credit, mineral exploration in Canada has strongly increased in recent years.
To solidify recent exploration gains and establish a strong base from which
to move forward, Budget 2006 proposes to reintroduce the mineral
exploration tax credit, effective for flow-through share agreements entered
into on or after May 2, 2006 and on or before March 31, 2007. Under the
“look-back” rule, funds raised with the benefit of the credit in 2007,
for example, can be spent on eligible exploration up to the end of 2008.
It is recognized that mineral exploration, as well as new mining and

related processing activity that could follow from successful exploration
efforts, can be associated with a variety of environmental impacts to soil,
water and air. All such activity, however, is subject to applicable federal and
provincial environmental regulations, including project-specific
environmental assessments where required.
Tradespeople’s Tool Expenses

Many employed tradespeople must provide their own tools as a condition
of employment.
223
To provide tax recognition for these costs, Budget 2006 proposes that
the total cost of eligible new tools acquired by an employed tradesperson
in a taxation year, in excess of $1,000 (indexed after 2007), be deductible
up to a maximum of $500 for that year. For the cost of tools to qualify for
the deduction, the employer will have to certify that the employee is
required to acquire those tools as a condition of, and for use in, the
employment. This deduction will be in addition to the proposed new
Canada Employment Credit described above.
This measure will apply to new tools acquired on or after May 2, 2006.
Apprentice vehicle mechanics will be eligible to claim the new $500

tools tax deduction in addition to the existing apprentice vehicle mechanics’
tools deduction. However, the parameters of the existing deduction will be
modified to reflect the introduction of the new tools tax deduction.
Currently, apprentice vehicle mechanics can deduct the total cost of new
tools acquired in a taxation year that is in excess of the greater of $1,000
and 5 per cent of the individual’s apprenticeship income for the year. For
the 2007 and subsequent taxation years, the $1,000 threshold will be set at
the amount on which the Canada Employment Credit for the year is
calculated plus $500. The 5 per cent income threshold will continue to
apply on total new tools costs incurred by the apprentice.
The cost of an employee’s tools for other income tax purposes will be the
acquisition cost less the deductible portion of that cost. For example, if an
employee (or a non-arm’s-length person) disposes of the tools for proceeds
in excess of this reduced cost, the excess amount will be included in income
in the year of disposition. However, tools will be eligible for the existing
rollovers that apply to transfers of property to a corporation or a partnership.
The employee will also be eligible for a rebate of the goods and services
tax/harmonized sales tax paid on the portion of the purchase price of the
new tools that is deducted in computing employment income.
Electronic communication devices and electronic data processing

equipment will not qualify as eligible tools.
Textbook Tax Credit

To provide better tax recognition to post-secondary students for the cost
of textbooks, Budget 2006 proposes to introduce a non-refundable
textbook tax credit. The tax credit for a taxation year will be calculated by
reference to the lowest personal income tax rate for the taxation year
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Annex 3
(i.e. 15.25 per cent for 2006 and 15.5 per cent for the 2007 and
subsequent taxation years). The textbook tax credit will be in addition to
the education tax credit. The amount on which the textbook tax credit is
calculated will be:
• $65 for each month for which the student qualifies for the full-time
education tax credit amount; and
• $20 for each month the student qualifies for the part-time education tax
credit amount.
Unused textbook tax credit amounts will be added to unused tuition and
education tax credit amounts for the purposes of the carry forward to a
future year as well as the transfer of unused amounts to a spouse or
common-law partner, parent, or grandparent.
Example
Jennifer, a student attending a full-time program at a Canadian university,
is entitled to the education and tuition tax credits in 2007. For 8 months
of full-time study, she would claim $3,200 in education amounts
($400 per month x 8 months), in addition to the $4,000 she claims in
tuition amounts for that year. She would receive a 15.5% tax credit on these
amounts ($7,200), for a tax saving of $1,116. As a result of Budget 2006,
she will also qualify for the textbook tax credit of $80.60, calculated as
$65 per month x 8 months x 15.5%.
This measure will apply to the 2006 and subsequent taxation years.
Scholarship and Bursary Income

Currently, the first $3,000 of scholarship, fellowship or bursary income
received by a taxpayer in a taxation year with respect to post-secondary
education or occupational training is not included in income.
In order to provide additional tax relief to students, Budget 2006

proposes to fully exempt such scholarship, fellowship or bursary income
from tax. The full exemption will apply only to amounts received by a
student in connection with the student’s enrolment in a program which
entitles the student to claim the education tax credit. Generally, this
includes programs at the post-secondary level and programs at educational
institutions that are certified by the Minister of Human Resources and
Social Development as providing skills in an occupation.
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Children’s Fitness Tax Credit

Budget 2006 proposes to allow parents to claim a non-refundable tax credit
in respect of up to $500 in eligible fees for the enrolment of a child under
the age of sixteen years in an eligible program of physical activity. The
measure will apply to the 2007 and subsequent taxation years. The credit
will be calculated by reference to the lowest personal income tax rate for
the taxation year and can be claimed by either parent for eligible fees
incurred during the calendar year.
To be eligible for the credit, fees must be paid in respect of eligible

expenses in an eligible program of physical activity. Eligible expenses
will include those for the operation and administration of the program,
instruction, renting facilities, equipment used in common (e.g. team jerseys
provided for the season), referees and judges, and incidental supplies
(e.g., trophies). Expenses that will not be eligible include the purchase
or rental of equipment for exclusive personal use, travel, meals
and accommodation.
The government will establish a small group of experts in health and

physical fitness to advise it on the definition of an “eligible program of
physical activity” for the purposes of the credit. These consultations will
consider among other things whether the activity should include an element
of instruction or supervision, and the adaptation of the definition of an
eligible program for children with disabilities.
For the purposes of the consultation, a working definition of an eligible

program of physical activity is as follows: an ongoing program suitable for
children in which substantially all of the activities undertaken include a
significant amount of physical activity that contributes to one or more of
cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance,
flexibility and balance.
Claims for the children’s fitness tax credit will need to be supported by
a tax receipt that contains information sufficient for the Canada Revenue
Agency to monitor compliance. Similarly, organizations will be required to
keep relevant books and records.
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Annex 3
To ensure that the same expenses are not claimed under both the
children’s fitness tax credit and the child care expense deduction, an
individual will not be allowed to make a claim for a children’s fitness tax
credit in respect of amounts for which any person has made a claim under
the child care expense deduction.
Pension Income Credit

The pension income credit provides a non-refundable credit in respect of
the first $1,000 of eligible pension income. For individuals aged 65 and
over, eligible pension income includes lifetime annuity payments under a
registered pension plan, a registered retirement savings plan or a deferred
profit sharing plan and payments out of or under a registered retirement
income fund. For individuals under 65 years of age, eligible pension income
includes lifetime annuity payments under a registered pension plan and
certain other payments received as a result of the death of the individual’s
spouse or common-law partner.
Budget 2006 proposes to provide greater tax relief to pensioners by

increasing to $2,000 from $1,000, the maximum amount of eligible
pension income that can be used in calculating the pension income credit.
Child Disability Benefit

The Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) is the main federal instrument for
the provision of financial assistance to families with children. The CCTB
has three components: the CCTB base benefit, the National Child Benefit
(NCB) supplement, and the Child Disability Benefit (CDB). The CDB is
payable in respect of children, in low- and modest-income families, who
meet the eligibility criteria for the disability tax credit (DTC).
Under the current rules, eligible families would receive for the 2006-07
benefit year an annual CDB entitlement of up to $2,044 per qualified child
as part of their monthly CCTB issuance. The CDB begins to be phased out
when family net income reaches the amount at which the NCB supplement
is fully phased out ($36,378 in July 2006 for families with three or fewer
children). Beyond that income level, the CDB is currently being reduced at
the same rates as those applying to the NCB supplement (that is, between
12.2 per cent and 33.3 per cent of family income in excess of the point at
which the NCB supplement is fully phased out, depending on the number
of DTC-eligible children in the family—see table below).
227
Budget 2006 proposes two changes to the CDB to enhance assistance to

families with children eligible for the DTC.
First, the Budget proposes to increase the maximum annual CDB to

$2,300 from $2,044, starting in July 2006. The benefit will continue to
be indexed for inflation thereafter.
Second, the Budget proposes to extend the CDB to more families caring
for a child eligible for the DTC by reducing the rates at which the CDB is
reduced as family income rises.
Effective July 2006, the CDB will be reduced at the same rates as the
CCTB base benefit, that is 2 per cent of family income in excess of the
amount at which the NCB supplement is fully phased out for families caring
for one child eligible for the DTC, and 4 per cent of that excess for those
caring for more than one child eligible for the DTC (see table below).
Accordingly the CDB will be reduced to zero as net family income reaches
$151,378 for a family caring for one or two children eligible for the DTC,
and $208,878 for a family caring for three children eligible for the DTC.
This change will significantly reduce effective marginal tax rates faced by
families with incomes in the current CDB phase-out range and will extend
eligibility for the CDB to nearly all families caring for children eligible for
the DTC.
Table A3.16
Current and Proposed Income Thresholds of the Child Disability
Benefit–July 2006
Number of Net Family Phase-Out Net Family Income at
DTC-Eligible Income Start of Rate (%) Which Phase-Out Ends ($)
Children Phase-Out ($) Current Proposed Current Proposed
1 36,378 12.2 2 55,230 151,378
2 36,378 23.0 4 56,378 151,378
3 36,378 33.3 4 57,099 208,878
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Annex 3
Examples
Bernard and Simone, with a net family income of $50,000, have two
children who are eligible for the DTC. Under the existing CDB, the family
would receive $955 dollars in CDB payments for the 2006–07 benefit year.
After the proposed changes, the family will receive $4,055.
Sandra, a single mother with a net family income of $100,000 has one child
eligible for the DTC. Under the existing CDB, she would not qualify for the
CDB. With the proposed changes, she will receive $1,028 in CDB benefits
for the 2006-07 benefit year.
Refundable Medical Expense Supplement

The refundable medical expense supplement (RMES) improves work
incentives for Canadians with disabilities by helping to offset the loss of
coverage for medical and disability-related expenses when individuals move
from social assistance to the paid labour force.
The RMES is equal to 25 per cent of the total of the allowable portion
of expenses that can be claimed under the medical expense tax credit and
the expenses claimed under the disability supports deduction, up to a
maximum credit of $767 for 2006. To target assistance to those with low-
and modest-incomes, the supplement is reduced by 5 per cent of net family
income above an income threshold ($21,663 for 2005).
Budget 2006 proposes to increase the maximum amount of the RMES to

$1,000 from $767 for the 2006 taxation year. The maximum amount will
continue to be indexed for inflation thereafter.
The Budget also proposes to set the income threshold at which the
RMES starts to be reduced at its level for 2005—$21,663—to ensure that
the supplement continues to be targeted to low- and modest-income
Canadians. The threshold will be indexed for inflation thereafter. For 2006,
it will be $22,140.
Tax Credit for Public Transit Passes

Budget 2006 proposes to allow individuals to claim a non-refundable tax
credit for the cost of monthly public transit passes or those passes of a
longer duration (e.g., annual passes). Public transit will include transit by
local bus, streetcar, subway, commuter train, commuter bus and local ferry.
229
The credit for a taxation year will be calculated by reference to the lowest
personal income tax rate for the taxation year (i.e. 15.25 per cent for 2006
and 15.5 per cent for the 2007 and subsequent taxation years). It will be
claimable by the individual or the individual’s spouse or common-law
partner in respect of eligible transit costs of the individual, the individual’s
spouse or common-law partner, and the individual’s dependent children
that are under 19 years of age.
Individuals making claims will be required to retain their receipts or

passes for verification purposes. Consultations will take place with transit
authorities to develop appropriate receipting practices.
This measure will apply in respect of that portion of the cost of public
transit passes that is in respect of transit on or after July 1, 2006.
Donations of Publicly-Listed Securities

to Public Charities
Donations to registered Canadian charities are eligible for a charitable
donations credit (if the donor is an individual) or a deduction (if the donor
is a corporation). For individuals, the credit for the first $200 in total
annual donations in a taxation year is calculated by reference to the lowest
personal income tax rate for the taxation year (i.e. 15.25 per cent for 2006
and 15.5 per cent for the 2007 and subsequent taxation years), and the
credit for donations above that $200 threshold is calculated by reference to
the highest personal income tax rate for the taxation year. Provincial
governments also provide tax assistance for charitable donations.
Since 1997, donations of publicly-listed securities to charitable

organizations and public foundations have been eligible for additional tax
assistance. When a taxpayer donates to an eligible charity securities listed
on a prescribed stock exchange (or certain other securities such as units in
mutual funds), the capital gain that has accrued on the securities is included
in income at only one-half the standard capital gains inclusion rate.
Currently, the standard capital gains inclusion rate is 50 per cent, and
therefore the inclusion rate for charitable donations of listed publicly-traded
securities to eligible charities is 25 per cent.
To encourage additional donations of listed publicly-traded securities

to charitable organizations and public foundations, Budget 2006 proposes
to reduce the capital gains inclusion rate for such donations to zero.
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Annex 3
Since 2000, an individual who makes a qualifying charitable donation

of listed publicly-traded securities that were acquired with employee stock
options has also been eligible for a special deduction that has the effect
of taxing the associated employment benefit at the reduced capital gains
inclusion rate. Budget 2006 also proposes to reduce the effective inclusion
rate for such donations to zero per cent.
These measures will apply to donations of eligible securities made on or

after May 2, 2006.
Donations of Ecologically-Sensitive Land

The Ecological Gifts Program provides a way for Canadians with
ecologically-sensitive land to protect natural areas and leave a legacy for
future generations. Since 2000, donations to approved conservation
charities of ecologically-sensitive land, or easements, covenants and
servitudes on such land, have been eligible for special tax assistance. Under
the Ecological Gifts Program, Environment Canada certifies that the land in
question is ecologically sensitive, and an expert panel certifies the value of
the donation. Under the Ecological Gifts Program, in addition to the
charitable donations tax credit (for individuals) and the charitable donations
deduction (for corporations) available to a donor in respect of a donation of
ecologically-sensitive land to a conservation charity, the capital gain that has
accrued on the land is included in calculating the donor’s income at only
one-half the standard capital gains inclusion rate. Currently, the standard
capital gains inclusion rate is 50 per cent, and therefore the capital gains
inclusion rate for donations of ecologically-sensitive land to a conservation
charity is 25 per cent.
In order to help Canada’s landowners and conservation groups in their

efforts to preserve Canada’s natural heritage, Budget 2006 proposes to
reduce the capital gains inclusion rate for such donations to zero.
This measure will apply to donations of ecologically-sensitive land made

Large Corporation Dividends

Income earned by corporations is subject to corporate income tax and, on
distribution as dividends to individuals, personal income tax. The personal
income tax system, through the “gross-up” and dividend tax credit (DTC),
currently provides recognition for corporate income taxes based on a
20 per cent combined federal-provincial rate, which is intended to
231
approximate the small business corporate income tax rate. The existing
gross-up is 25 per cent and the existing federal DTC is 1313⁄ per cent of
the grossed-up amount. Because the federal-provincial general corporate
income tax rate is higher than 20 per cent, the total personal and corporate
income tax on earnings distributed as dividends can be higher than that
paid on interest payments and income trust distributions.
Budget 2006 confirms the government’s intention to proceed with

measures consistent with those announced in a Notice of Ways and Means
Motion tabled on November 23, 2005, which would enhance the gross-up
and DTC for eligible dividends. Eligible dividends will generally include
dividends paid after 2005 by public corporations (and other corporations
that are not Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs)) that are
resident in Canada and subject to the general corporate income tax rate.
In addition, CCPCs will be able to pay eligible dividends to the extent that
their income (other than investment income) is subject to tax at the general
corporate income tax rate.
Specifically, in respect of eligible dividends, shareholders will include

145 per cent of the eligible dividend amount in income (that is, a 45 per
cent gross-up), and the federal DTC with respect to eligible dividends will
be approximately 19 per cent of the grossed-up amount (reflecting the
general corporate income tax rate that will apply beginning in 2010).
This measure will apply to eligible dividends paid after 2005.
Business Income Tax Measures

To foster investment and growth, and to create jobs, Budget 2006 proposes
to eliminate the corporate surtax for all corporations in 2008 and reduce
the general corporate income tax rate by 2 percentage points by 2010.
General Corporate Income Tax Rate

Budget 2006 proposes to reduce the general corporate income tax rate
(after the 10-per-cent abatement for income earned in a province) to
19 per cent from 21 per cent by 2010. The general corporate income tax
rate will be reduced to 20.5 per cent effective January 1, 2008, to
20 per cent effective January 1, 2009, and to 19 per cent effective
January 1, 2010. The rate will be prorated for taxation years that include
any of those dates.
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Annex 3
The rate reductions will apply to income that is taxed at the general
corporate income tax rate. This income does not include small business
income that is already eligible for the small business deduction; investment
income of Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs), which
income is eligible for a special refundable tax; the income of credit unions
eligible for the corporate tax rate reduction under section 137 of the
Income Tax Act; and the income of mutual fund corporations, mortgage
investment corporations, most deposit insurance corporations and
investment corporations (as defined in the Income Tax Act), which income
already qualifies for special tax treatment. Consistent with these proposals,
measures will be introduced for taxation years that begin on or after
May 2, 2006 to clarify that full-rate taxable income does not include any
taxable income of a corporation that is not subject to tax at the general
corporate income tax rate applicable under section 123 of the Income
Tax Act.
Corporate Surtax
The corporate surtax applies to all corporations and is calculated at a rate of
4 per cent of federal corporate income tax payable after the 10-per-cent
abatement for income earned in a province, but before credits such as the
small business deduction and credits for foreign taxes paid.
The elimination of the surtax for small- and medium-sized corporations

in 2008 has already been legislated. Budget 2006 proposes to eliminate the
corporate surtax for all remaining corporations effective January 1, 2008,
prorated for taxation years that include that date. Its elimination is
equivalent to a 1.12 percentage point reduction in corporate income tax
rates and will simplify the tax system.
The following table presents the federal corporate income tax rates
reflecting the proposed rate reductions.
Table A3.17
Federal Corporate Income Tax Rates, 2006–2010
Proposed Rates
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
(per cent)
General corporate income tax rate 21.0 21.0 20.5 20.0 19.0
Corporate surtax 1.12 1.12 0.0 0.0 0.0
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Small Business Limit and Tax Rate

The small business deduction currently reduces the federal corporate
income tax rate applied to the first $300,000 of qualifying active business
income of a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) to 12 per cent.
In order to provide additional tax relief to small businesses, Budget 2006

proposes that the annual amount of active business income eligible for the
reduced tax rate—generally referred to as the “small business limit”—be
increased as of January 1, 2007 to $400,000.
Budget 2006 also proposes a 1-percentage point reduction in the

12 per cent tax rate. The reduction will be achieved as follows:
• for 2008, the rate will be reduced to 11.5 per cent; and
• as of January 1, 2009, the rate will be reduced to 11 per cent.
The increase to the small business limit, and the rate reductions, will
be pro-rated for corporations with taxation years that do not coincide with
the calendar year. In addition, there will continue to be a requirement to
allocate the small-business limit among associated corporations, and access
to the small business deduction will continue to be phased out on a
straight-line basis for CCPCs having between $10 million and $15 million
of taxable capital employed in Canada.
CCPCs are also eligible to earn investment tax credits at an enhanced

rate of 35 per cent on up to $2 million of scientific research and experimental
development (SR&ED) expenditures annually. This $2 million expenditure
limit is reduced as a CCPC’s taxable income for the previous taxation year
increases from $300,000 to $500,000 and taxable capital of the previous
year increases from $10 million to $15 million. For these smaller CCPCs all
tax credits earned at the higher 35-per-cent rate on current expenditures
are fully refundable, and 40 per cent of tax credits earned at the higher
35-per-cent rate on capital expenditures is refundable.
As a consequence of the proposal to increase the small business limit, the

$2 million expenditure limit will be reduced where taxable income for the
previous taxation year is between $400,000 and $600,000. This change will
apply to taxation years that end after 2006. The phase-out based upon
taxable capital will not be changed.
CCPCs that claim the small business deduction are permitted to pay any
balance of corporate income tax owing at the end of the third month after
the end of their taxation year—one month later than other corporations—
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Annex 3
provided their taxable income in the previous year is less than the small
business limit for that year. As a consequence of increasing the small
business limit, some CCPCs with taxable income above $300,000 but
below the proposed new limit, will now have an additional month in which
to pay any balance of tax owing.
The following table presents the small business limit and tax rate
reflecting the proposed changes.
Table A3.18
Small Business Limit and Tax Rates, 2006–2010
Proposed Limit and Rates
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Small business limit 300,000 400,000 400,000 400,000 400,000
Small business tax rate1 12 12 11.5 11 11
1 Small businesses also pay the corporate surtax, which currently is equivalent to a tax rate of 1.12%.
It will be eliminated in 2008.
Non-Capital Losses and Investment Tax Credits

Non-capital losses can currently be carried back up to 3 years and can also
be carried forward 10 years. However, many businesses are unable to fully
utilize their losses before they expire. To improve fairness and smooth out
the impact of business cycles, Budget 2006 proposes to extend the
non-capital loss carry-forward period of all taxpayers to 20 years.
Investment tax credits (ITCs) provide considerable support for important

economic activity such as scientific research and experimental development
(SR&ED). Currently, ITCs can be carried back up to 3 years and forward
up to 10 years. However, some businesses, such as research-intensive
companies, can realize little profit for extended periods, which means that
they may be unable to fully benefit from an ITC. To increase the ability of
these companies to use ITCs, Budget 2006 also proposes to extend the
ITC carry-forward period to 20 years.
This measure will apply to non-capital losses, farm losses, restricted farm
losses, losses applied under Part IV of the Income Tax Act, and Canadian
life investment losses under Part XII.3 of the Act. It will also apply to ITCs
earned for SR&ED, Atlantic investment, and mineral exploration.
The measure is proposed to apply to losses incurred and credits earned
in taxation years that end after 2005.
235
Federal Capital Tax

The federal capital tax was introduced in 1989 as Part I.3 of the Income
Tax Act. The tax is currently levied at a rate of 0.125 per cent on taxable
capital in excess of $50 million. A corporation’s taxable capital is generally
described as the total of its shareholder’s equity, surpluses and reserves, as
well as loans and advances to the corporation, less certain types of
investments in other corporations. A corporation’s federal income surtax
(1.12 per cent of taxable income) is deductible against the corporation’s
federal capital tax liability.
Legislation has already been enacted to eliminate the federal capital tax
in 2008. Budget 2006 proposes to eliminate the federal capital tax as of
January 1, 2006—two years earlier than was originally scheduled. The
federal capital tax rate will be pro-rated for taxation years that do not
coincide with the calendar year.
The following table summarizes the phase-out of the federal capital tax
under existing law and the acceleration of the elimination proposed in
this budget:
Table A3.19
Proposed Acceleration of Federal Capital Tax Elimination
Capital Tax Rates
2005 2006 2007 2008
(per cent)
Current phase-out 0.175 0.125 0.0625 0.00
Proposed phase-out 0.175 0.00 0.00 0.00
The corporate surtax in excess of a corporation’s federal capital tax

liability for a taxation year can generally be applied against the corporation’s
capital tax liability for its three previous and its seven subsequent taxation
years. Corporations will continue to be able to apply the corporate surtax
against the federal capital tax liability, if any, for the three previous tax years.
For these purposes, the excess credits will continue to be computed by
reference to a notional Part I.3 tax liability, based on the 0.225 per-cent
federal capital tax rate and the $10 million capital deduction applicable
immediately prior to the phasing out of the tax that began in 2004.
Consequential amendments to subsection 225.1(8) and section 235 of the
Act will also be made to ensure that certain rules applicable to large
corporations continue to have effect after the elimination of the federal
capital tax.
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Annex 3
Minimum Tax on Financial Institutions

The federal capital tax on financial institutions, which was introduced in
1986 as Part VI of the Income Tax Act, is a minimum tax for banks, trust
companies and mortgage loan companies. It was extended to life insurance
companies in 1990. The tax is currently levied at a rate of 1.0 per cent on
taxable capital employed in Canada between $200 million and $300
million, and at a rate of 1.25 per cent on taxable capital employed in
Canada in excess of $300 million. This tax is in addition to the federal
capital tax applicable to large corporations under Part I.3 of the Income
Tax Act, as discussed above.
Given the growth in the financial sector since the tax was first
introduced, Budget 2006 proposes to increase the threshold above which
the tax begins to apply to $1 billion and to adopt a single tax rate of
1.25 per cent on taxable capital employed in Canada over that threshold.
A financial institution can reduce its capital tax payable by the amount of
income tax it pays. Where income tax exceeds its capital tax payable for a
taxation year, a financial institution can carry the excess income tax credits
forward seven years and back three years. For the purposes of calculating
amounts that can be carried back from taxation years that end on or after
July 1, 2006 to taxation years that end before that date, such excess income
tax credits will continue to be calculated as if the structure of the capital tax
on financial institutions had not been changed. This will limit the ability of
financial institutions to carry back to those years unused income tax credits
that arise solely because of the reduction of the federal capital tax on
financial institutions.
These changes will apply starting July 1, 2006, prorated for financial
institutions with taxation years that include that date.
Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit

Budget 2006 proposes to introduce an Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax
Credit in order to encourage employers to hire new apprentices in eligible
trades. This measure will provide eligible employers with a non-refundable
tax credit equal to 10 per cent of the salaries and wages paid to qualifying
apprentices to a maximum credit of $2,000 per year per apprentice
(i.e., the credit would be available on up to $20,000 of an apprentice’s
salaries and wages). Eligible employers will be businesses that incur salaries
and wages in respect of qualifying apprentices. Special rules will apply where
an apprentice works for two or more related employers in a year so that the
maximum tax credit in the year in respect of that apprentice that those
employers can claim does not exceed $2,000.
237
A qualifying apprentice will be an apprentice who is working in a

qualifying trade in the first two years of his or her provincially registered
apprenticeship contract with an eligible employer. The qualifying trades will
be prescribed and will include the 45 trades currently included in the Red
Seal trades. The Red Seal allows a journeyperson to engage in their trade—
without having to write further examinations—in any province or territory
in Canada where the trade is recognized.
In addition, the Minister of Finance may, in consultation with the

Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, put forth
regulations to prescribe other trades, which are economically strategic,
to be an eligible trade. The Minister of Human Resources and Social
Development will consult with the provinces and territories with a view to
determining those trades that should be recommended to the Minister of
Finance for prescription.
As proposed above, unused credits may be carried back 3 years and

forward 20 years by the employer to reduce federal income taxes otherwise
payable in those years.
The Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit will be available to eligible

employers in respect of salaries and wages that are paid to qualifying
apprentices on or after May 2, 2006.
Capital Cost Allowance for Tools

A portion of the capital cost of depreciable property is deductible as capital
cost allowance (CCA) each year, with the maximum CCA rate for each type
of property set out in the Income Tax Regulations.
Currently, tools that cost less than $200 are eligible for a 100-per-cent
CCA rate under paragraph (h) of Class 12 of Schedule II to the Income
Tax Regulations. Tools that cost $200 or more are generally eligible
for a 20-per-cent CCA rate under Class 8 of Schedule II to the Income
Tax Regulations.
Budget 2006 proposes that the cost limit for access to the 100-per-cent
Class 12 treatment be increased to $500 from $200 for such tools acquired
The budget also proposes to clarify the description of tools eligible

under paragraph (h) of that class by specifically excluding electronic
communication devices and electronic data processing equipment.
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Annex 3
Consequential to the increase in the cost limit for tools, Budget 2006
also proposes that the cost limit for kitchen utensils under paragraph (c) of
Class 12 and medical or dental instruments under paragraph (e) of Class 12
be increased to $500 from $200 for such utensils and instruments acquired
Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance

for Forestry Bioenergy
Budget 2006 confirms the Government’s intention to proceed with
proposed measures to extend eligibility for accelerated capital cost allowance
under Class 43.1 (30 per cent rate) and Class 43.2 (50 per cent rate) of
Schedule II to the Income Tax Regulations to cogeneration systems that
use a type of biomass, commonly referred to as “black liquor” (or “spent
pulping liquor”) used in the pulp and paper industry. This change will apply
to eligible assets acquired on or after November 14, 2005, that have not
been used or acquired for use before that date.
Other Measures
Administrative Provisions (Standardized Accounting)
The Government has, for a number of years, been working on an initiative
referred to as “Standardized Accounting”, which aims to simplify tax
compliance, primarily for business persons, by harmonizing various
administrative, interest and penalty provisions across federal tax statutes.
The goal of this initiative is an integrated set of rules for the payment of
tax, calculation of interest, and penalties that simplifies the tax system for
both tax filers and government administration and ultimately leads to
increased efficiency and cost savings.
The first series of Standardized Accounting measures, which harmonized

a number of administrative and enforcement provisions under the Excise
Tax Act (non-GST), the Excise Act, 2001, and the Income Tax Act, were
announced in Budget 2003.
Budget 2006 proposes measures that harmonize a number of other

administrative, interest and penalty provisions, primarily as they relate to the
Excise Tax Act (GST), but also affecting the Excise Tax Act (non-GST),
Excise Act, 2001, Income Tax Act, and the Air Travellers Security Charge
Act. These measures will apply based on an implementation date that is
the later of April 1, 2007 and the date that legislation to give effect to
the standardized accounting proposals receives Royal Assent. Specific
coming-into-force provisions for the measures are described below.
239
(a) Changes to the Excise Tax Act (GST and non-GST),

the Income Tax Act, the Excise Act, 2001 and
the Air Travellers Security Charge Act
Withholding of Refunds/Rebates: Currently, the Excise Tax Act (GST),
the Excise Act, 2001, and the Air Travellers Security Charge Act each
restrict the payment of refunds until all returns required to be filed under
each Act, and in some cases, under the other statutes as well, have been
filed. The Excise Tax Act (non-GST) and the Income Tax Act are silent on
this requirement. Budget 2006 proposes to restrict the payment or offset of
a credit, other than the Child Tax Benefit, to a person until all returns, of
which the Minister of National Revenue has knowledge, that the person is
required to file under all the Acts have been filed. This measure will
apply to amounts that are payable by the Minister on or after the
implementation date.
De Minimis Amounts: Currently, the threshold below which amounts

are neither payable by a person or the Crown varies across the statutes.
Furthermore, rather than deeming these amounts to be nil, in some statutes
the Minister of National Revenue is required to write off the amounts.
Budget 2006 proposes that where the total of all amounts payable by a
person is $2 or less, the amount be deemed to be nil. In addition, if the
total of all amounts owing by the Crown to a person is $2 or less, the
amount may be offset against another liability of the person or, where no
other liability exists, the amount will be deemed to be nil. This measure will
apply to amounts owing on or after the implementation date.
Interest on Fees for Dishonoured Instruments: Currently, if a fee is

imposed on a person in respect of a dishonoured financial instrument used
by the person to pay an amount under one of the Acts, the Crown is
required to calculate interest on the charge pursuant to the Financial
Administration Act. Budget 2006 proposes that the fee structure under the
Financial Administration Act be incorporated into each of the relevant tax
statutes, in order to have the interest rates under these statutes (and the
date at which that interest begins to accrue) apply to the fee. This measure
will come into force in respect of instruments dishonoured on or after the
240
Annex 3
(b) Changes to the Excise Tax Act (GST), the Income Tax
Act, the Excise Act, 2001 and the Air Travellers Security
Charge Act
Effect on Penalties and Interest When Due Dates are Extended: While
currently each of these statutes allows the Minister of National Revenue to
extend the deadline for filing a return, and most statutes permit extensions
for remitting amounts, the treatment of penalties and interest when an
extension is given varies across the Acts. Budget 2006 proposes that when
the Minister extends, under any of the Acts, the deadline to file a return or
remit an amount, late-filing penalties and interest will not apply in respect
of the return or amount until after the extension expires. In addition, late-
filing penalties and interest will apply only in respect of the period after the
extension. This measure will apply to returns that are required to be filed
on or after the implementation date.
(c) Changes to the Excise Tax Act (GST and non-GST),

the Excise Act, 2001 and the Air Travellers Security
Charge Act
Ten-Year Limitation Period for Exercises of Ministerial Discretion:
Currently, the Minister of National Revenue is authorized to waive or
cancel any interest, and in some cases late-remittance penalties, that were
imposed on a person. Budget 2006 proposes that the Minister may waive or
cancel any interest and late-filing penalties that became payable in any of the
ten preceding calendar years. This measure will apply in respect of requests
made to the Minister on or after the implementation date.
Late-Filing Penalties: Currently, these statutes do not contain a penalty

for returns that are filed late by a person. Budget 2006 proposes that a late-
filing penalty, modelled after a similar penalty under the Income Tax Act, be
introduced with a rate of 1.0 per cent of the outstanding balance on the
return plus an additional 0.25 per cent for each complete month the return
remains outstanding, to a maximum of 12 months. This measure will apply
to returns that are required to be filed on or after the implementation date.
The measure will also apply to returns outstanding as of that date, but the
0.25-per-cent per month portion of the penalty will apply only in respect of
the period after the implementation date. Currently, the penalties for failure
to file when required under a demand vary among the statutes. Budget
2006 will set the penalty at $250 in respect of demands served on or after
241
(d) Changes to the Excise Tax Act (GST), the Excise Act,
2001 and the Air Travellers Security Charge Act
Period of Interest Accrual on Cancelled Penalties and Interest:
Currently, where the Minister of National Revenue receives a request for
relief from a person and cancels penalties or interest previously paid by the
person, interest in respect of the cancelled amount will be payable to the
person. However, the date upon which interest begins to accrue on
amounts to be repaid to a person varies across each statute. Budget 2006
proposes that interest payable to a person in respect of cancelled penalties
and interest will begin to accrue 30 days after the day the Minister receives
a request from a person, and will end on the day the amount is refunded or
offset against another liability. This measure will come into force on the
(e) Changes to the Excise Tax Act (non-GST),

the Income Tax Act and the Excise Act, 2001
Collection Restrictions: Currently, the Minister of National Revenue is
required to wait at least 90 days from the date of a notice of assessment
before the Minister may commence collection by way of deduction or set-
off against amounts owing to the person. Budget 2006 proposes to remove
this 90-day collection restriction. This measure will apply in respect of
amounts payable by the Minister on or after the implementation date.
(f) Changes to the Excise Tax Act (GST) and

the Air Travellers Security Charge Act
Interest Calculation: Currently, interest on amounts owed by persons is
based on the Government of Canada Treasury Bill rate plus an additional
6-per-cent penalty, while interest on amounts owed to persons is based on
the Treasury Bill rate. Budget 2006 proposes that the rate of interest on
amounts owed by persons be based on the Treasury Bill rate, rounded up
to the nearest percentage point, plus 4 per cent, and that the 6-per-cent
penalty be removed. Interest on amounts owed to persons will be based on
the Treasury Bill rate, rounded up, plus 2 per cent. This measure will apply
to all amounts payable on or after the implementation date.
(g) Changes to the Excise Tax Act (GST)

Day Credit Interest Begins to Accrue: Currently, interest on amounts
owing to a person begins to accrue the later of 21 days after the date a
credit return is filed or a claim is made in respect of particular rebates, while
interest on amounts owing to a person for other rebates begins 60 days
242
Annex 3
from the date of filing a claim. Budget 2006 proposes that the Excise Tax
Act be amended to provide that interest on all amounts owing to a person
begins to accrue 30 days after the person files a credit return or rebate
claim. This measure will apply to reporting periods, and to claim periods in
respect of specified rebates, that end, as well as to claims for other rebates
that are filed, on or after the implementation date.
(h) Changes to the Income Tax Act

and the Income Tax Regulations
Reallocation of Payments: The Income Tax Act currently allows the
Minister of National Revenue to reallocate amounts paid by a person to the
Minister, but only between specified accounts within that Act. Budget 2006
proposes that the Minister be authorized to reallocate, upon a person’s
request, amounts paid by the person under the Income Tax Act to amounts
payable by that person under the Excise Tax Act (GST and non-GST), the
Excise Act, 2001 or the Air Travellers Security Charge Act, with the
reallocation taking effect from the date the amount was paid under the
first Act. The result of this amendment will be that amounts paid under
any of those Acts can be applied against amounts payable under any other
of those Acts. This measure will come into force in respect of reallocation
requests made on or after the implementation date.
Non-Deductibility of Interest and Penalties: The Income Tax Act

was amended in 2004 to provide that fines and penalties are not generally
deductible. However, pending the outcome of ongoing work relating to the
harmonization of administrative rules—including penalties and interest—
under various tax statutes, it was proposed at that time that this prohibition
on the deductibility of penalties not apply to prescribed penalty interest
imposed under the Excise Act, the Air Travellers Security Charge Act and
the GST/HST portions of the Excise Tax Act. As this harmonization
exercise is now complete with the introduction of the proposals outlined
above, Budget 2006 proposes that this prescription be removed in so far as
it relates to the Air Travellers Security Charge Act and the GST/HST
portions of the Excise Tax Act. In addition, interest payable under the Air
Travellers Security Charge Act and the GST/HST portions of the Excise
Tax Act will no longer be deductible for income tax purposes.
These measures will apply to taxation years that begin on or after the
243
(i) Changes to the Excise Tax Act (non-GST)

Repeal of Instalment Periods for Excise Taxes: Currently, most taxpayers
are required to pay instalments in respect of a fiscal month within 21 days
after the end of the month. Large taxpayers must pay a first instalment in
respect of a fiscal month by the end of the month and a second instalment
within 15 days after the end of the month. For both types of taxpayers, the
outstanding balance in respect of a fiscal month must be paid by the end of
the following fiscal month. Budget 2006 proposes the repeal of the
provisions requiring instalment payments, so that excise taxpayers would be
required to pay tax in respect of a fiscal month by the end of the following
month. This measure will come into force for fiscal months that begin on
or after the implementation date.
Measures Announced in the 2005 Budget

A limited number of tax measures that were originally proposed in the
2005 budget and the Notice of Ways and Means Motion tabled on
November 17, 2005 were not legislated before Parliament prorogued as
a result of the election call. Budget 2006 confirms the Government’s
intention to proceed with measures which would introduce a tax deferral
in respect of certain dividends paid after 2005 by agricultural cooperatives,
and would for the 2005 and subsequent taxation years,
• introduce a new tax credit for adoption expenses,
• respond to recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee on
Tax Measures for Persons with Disabilities concerning the eligibility
criteria for the disability tax credit and the expenses eligible for the
disability supports deduction,
• expand the list of expenses eligible for the medical expenses tax credit,
and clarify the eligibility of home renovation and construction expenses,
and
• double the amount of disability-related and medical expenses that can be
claimed by a caregiver.
Budget 2006 also confirms the Government’s intention to enact

regulations to implement the changes to the capital cost allowance (CCA)
provisions proposed in the 2005 budget. These changes, which will be
effective as of February 23, 2005, set new rates for certain electricity assets,
transmission pipelines, and telecommunications cables. They also enhance
and extend the accelerated CCA provisions for efficient and renewable
energy generation equipment.
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Annex 3
Functional Currency Tax Reporting

Currently, all taxpayers are required to report and determine their income
for Canadian tax purposes in Canadian dollars. There are, however, certain
corporations resident in Canada that are required by Canadian and
international accounting rules to determine their income for financial
reporting purposes in a currency (the “functional currency”) other than the
Canadian dollar if their business activities are conducted primarily in that
currency. These corporations are concerned that the requirement to report
their income for tax purpose in Canadian currency can distort their financial
results and impair their international competitiveness.
Budget 2006 proposes to explore allowing corporations, required for

financial reporting purposes to report in a functional currency other than
the Canadian dollar, to determine their income for Canadian tax purposes
in that functional currency. To this end, the Department of Finance intends
to release a discussion draft of legislative proposals for comment.
Aboriginal Tax Policy Measures

Taxation is an integral part of good governance as it promotes greater
accountability and self-sufficiency. Therefore, the federal government
supports initiatives encouraging the exercise of taxation powers by
Aboriginal governments.
To date, the federal government has entered into 20 sales tax

arrangements whereby Indian Act bands and Aboriginal self-governments
levy a sales tax within their reserves or their settlement lands. In addition,
11 arrangements respecting personal income taxes are in effect with
Aboriginal self-governments under which they impose a personal income
tax on all residents within their settlement lands. The federal government
confirms its willingness to discuss and put into effect direct taxation
arrangements with interested Aboriginal governments.
The federal government is also prepared to facilitate taxation

arrangements between provinces, territories and interested Aboriginal
governments. In 2004, the federal government introduced legislation to
provide authority to interested Indian Act bands situated in Quebec to
levy direct sales taxes harmonized with any of the sales taxes levied by
the Government of Quebec. The Governments of Manitoba and of
245
Saskatchewan have recently requested that the federal government facilitate

provincial tax arrangements with Aboriginal governments in their province.
The federal government will, therefore, introduce similar legislation to
facilitate tax administration agreements in these two provinces. The federal
government remains willing to work with any provincial or territorial
government that shares an interest in concluding similar taxation
arrangements with Aboriginal governments.
A technical amendment is proposed to the Yukon First Nations

Self-Government Act in order to ease the transition to self-taxation.
246
NOTICES OF WAYS
AND MEANS MOTIONS
Annex 3
Notice of Ways and Means Motion to amend

the Excise Tax Act, the Excise Act, 2001, the Excise
Act and the Air Travellers Security Charge Act
relating to the rate reduction for the GST and the
federal component of the HST
That it is expedient to amend the Excise Tax Act, the Excise Act, 2001,
the Excise Act and the Air Travellers Security Charge Act as follows:
Part 1—Excise Tax Act

1. (1) The description of G in paragraph (a) of the definition
“basic tax content” in subsection 123(1) of the Excise Tax Act
is replaced by the following:
G is
(A) 7%, if the amount determined for D is included, or would be
included if the tax became payable, in the description of A in
subsection 225.2(2) for a reporting period of the selected listed
financial institution that ends before July 1, 2006, and
(B) 6%, in any other case,
(2) The description of P in paragraph (b) of the definition “basic tax
content” in subsection 123(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:
P is
(A) 7%, if the amount determined for M is included, or would be
included if the tax became payable, in the description of A in
subsection 225.2(2) for a reporting period of the selected listed
financial institution that ends before July 1, 2006, and
(B) 6%, in any other case,
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) come into force, or are deemed to have
come into force, on July 1, 2006.
2. (1) Subsection 165(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Imposition of goods and services tax
165. (1) Subject to this Part, every recipient of a taxable supply
made in Canada shall pay to Her Majesty in right of Canada tax in respect
of the supply calculated at the rate of 6% on the value of the consideration
for the supply.
249
(2) Subsection (1) applies

(a) to any supply (other than a supply deemed under section 191
of the Act to have been made) made on or after July 1, 2006;
(b) for the purposes of calculating tax in respect of any supply
(other than a supply by way of sale of real property) made before
July 1, 2006, but only in respect of the portion of the tax that
(i) becomes payable on or after July 1, 2006, without
having been paid before that day, or
(ii) is paid on or after July 1, 2006 without having
become payable;
(c) for the purposes of calculating tax in respect of any supply
(other than a supply deemed under Part IX of the Act to have been
made) by way of sale of real property made before July 1, 2006,
if ownership and possession of the property are transferred on or
after July 1, 2006 to the recipient under the agreement for the
supply unless the supply is a supply of a residential complex pursuant
to an agreement of purchase and sale, evidenced in writing, entered
into on or before May 2, 2006;
(d) to any supply by way of sale of a residential complex, which is
a single unit residential complex (as defined in subsection 123(1)
of the Act) or a residential condominium unit, deemed under
subsection 191(1) of the Act to have been made on or after
July 1, 2006, unless the supply is deemed to have been made as a
consequence of the builder giving possession of the complex to a
person under an agreement, entered into on or before May 2, 2006,
for the supply by way of sale of the building or part of it in which
the residential unit forming part of the complex is situated;
(e) to any supply by way of sale of a residential condominium
unit deemed under subsection 191(2) of the Act to have been
made on or after July 1, 2006, unless possession of the unit was
given to the particular person referred to in that subsection before
July 1, 2006;
(f) to any supply by way of sale of a residential complex deemed
under subsection 191(3) of the Act to have been made on or after
July 1, 2006, unless the supply is deemed to have been made as a
consequence of the builder giving possession of a residential unit in
the complex to a person under an agreement for the supply by way of
sale of the building or part of it forming part of the complex and
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Annex 3
(i) the agreement was entered into on or before May 2, 2006, or

(ii) another agreement was entered into on or before
May 2, 2006 by the builder and another person and that
other agreement was not terminated before July 1, 2006,
and was for the supply by way of sale of the building or part
of it forming part of the complex;
(g) to any supply by way of sale of an addition to a residential
complex deemed under subsection 191(4) of the Act to have been
made on or after July 1, 2006, unless the supply is deemed to have
been made as a consequence of the builder giving possession of a
residential unit in the addition to a person under an agreement for
the supply by way of sale of the building or part of it forming part
of the complex and
(i) the agreement was entered into on or before May 2, 2006, or
(ii) another agreement was entered into on or before
May 2, 2006 by the builder and another person and that other
agreement was not terminated before July 1, 2006, and was for
the supply by way of sale of the building or part of it forming
part of the addition;
(h) for the purposes of calculating tax on the cost to another person
of supplying property or a service to a financial institution under
paragraph (c) of the description of A in subsection 225.2(2) of the
Act if the reporting period of the financial institution ends on or
after July 1, 2006; and
(i) for the purposes of determining or calculating any of the
following amounts if none of paragraphs (a) to (h) applies:
(i) tax on or after July 1, 2006,
(ii) tax that is not payable but would have been payable on or
after July 1, 2006, in the absence of certain circumstances
described in the Act, and
(iii) an amount or a number, at any time on or after July 1,
2006, by or in accordance with an algebraic formula that makes
reference to the rate set out in subsection 165(1) of the Act.
251
3. (1) The description of A in clause 173(1)(d)(vi)(B) of the Act

A is
(I) where
1. the benefit amount is required to be included under
paragraph 6(1)(a) or (e) of the Income Tax Act in computing
the individual’s income from an office or employment and
the last establishment of the employer at which the individual
ordinarily worked or to which the individual ordinarily reported
in the year in relation to that office or employment is located
in a participating province, or
2. the benefit amount is required under subsection 15(1)
of that Act to be included in computing the individual’s income
and the individual is resident in a participating province at the
end of the year,
the total of 5% and the tax rate for the participating province, and
(II) in any other case, 5%,
(2) Subsection (1) applies to the 2006 and subsequent taxation years
of an individual, except that for the 2006 taxation year, the reference
to “5%” in the description of A in clause 173(1)(d)(vi)(B) of the Act
shall be read as “5.5%”.
4. (1) Paragraph 174(e) of the French version of the Act is replaced
by the following:
e) la personne est réputée avoir payé, au moment du versement
de l’indemnité et relativement à la fourniture, une taxe égale au résultat
du calcul suivant :
A x (B/C)
où :
A représente le montant de l’indemnité,
B:
(i) la somme du taux fixé au paragraphe 165(1) et du taux de taxe
applicable à une province participante si, selon le cas :
(A) la totalité ou la presque totalité des fournitures relativement
auxquelles l’indemnité est versée ont été effectuées dans des
provinces participantes,
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Annex 3
(B) l’indemnité est versée en vue de l’utilisation du véhicule

à moteur dans des provinces participantes,
(ii) dans les autres cas, le taux fixé au paragraphe 165(1),
C la somme de 100 % et du pourcentage déterminé selon l’élément B.
(2) Paragraph 174(f) of the English version of the Act is replaced
by the following:
(f) the person is deemed to have paid, at the time the allowance is
paid, tax in respect of the supply equal to the amount determined
by the formula
A x (B/C)
where
A is the amount of the allowance, and
B is
(i) the total of the rate set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax rate
for a participating province if
(A) all or substantially all of the supplies for which the allowance
is paid were made in participating provinces, or
(B) the allowance is paid for the use of the motor vehicle in
participating provinces, and
(ii) in any other case, the rate set out in subsection 165(1), and
C is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for B.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply to any allowance paid by a person
on or after July 1, 2006.
5. (1) The description of A in subsection 176(1) of the Act
A is
(a) if the supply is made in a participating province, the total
of the rate set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax rate for that
province, and
(b) in any other case, the rate set out in subsection 165(1),
(2) Subsection (1) applies to any supply made on or after
July 1, 2006.
253
6. (1) The definition “tax fraction” in subsection 181(1) of the Act

“tax fraction”
“tax fraction” of a coupon value or of the discount or exchange value of a
coupon means
(a) where the coupon is accepted in full or partial consideration for a
supply made in a participating province, the fraction
A/B
where
A is the total of the rate set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax rate for
that participating province, and
B is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for A; and
(b) in any other case, the fraction
C/D
where
C is the rate set out in subsection 165(1), and
D is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for C.
(2) Subsection (1) applies to any coupon that is accepted on or after
July 1, 2006 in full or partial consideration for a supply.
7. (1) The description of A in paragraph 181.1(a) of the French
version of the Act is replaced by the following:
A représente :
(i) si la taxe prévue au paragraphe 165(2) était payable relativement à
la fourniture du bien ou du service au profit de la personne, la somme
du taux fixé au paragraphe 165(1) et du taux de taxe applicable à la
province participante dans laquelle cette fourniture a été effectuée,
(ii) dans les autres cas, le taux fixé au paragraphe 165(1),
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Annex 3
(2) The description of A in paragraph 181.1(e) in the English

version of the Act is replaced by the following:
A is
(i) if tax under subsection 165(2) was payable in respect of the supply
of the property or service to the particular person, the total of the rate
set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax rate of the participating
province in which that supply was made, and
(ii) in any other case, the rate set out in subsection 165(1), and
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply to any supply of property or a
service in respect of which tax became payable on or after July 1, 2006
if the supply is made to a person to whom a registrant pays a rebate in
respect of the property or service.
8. (1) The description of B in paragraph 182(1)(a) of the Act
B is
(i) if tax under subsection 165(2) was payable in respect of the supply,
the total of 100%, the rate set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax
rate for the participating province in which the supply was made, and
(ii) in any other case, the total of 100% and the rate set out in
subsection 165(1), and
(2) Subsection (1) applies to an amount that is paid or forfeited
on or after July 1, 2006 and to a debt or other obligation that is
reduced or extinguished on or after that day without payment on
account of the debt or obligation.
9. (1) The description of A in paragraph 183(4)(a) of the Act
A is
(i) if the supply is made in a participating province, the total of
the rate set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax rate for that
province, and
(ii) in any other case, the rate set out in subsection 165(1),
255
(2) The description of A in subparagraph 183(5)(b)(i) of the Act

A is
(A) if the property is situated in a participating province at the
particular time, the total of the rate set out in subsection 165(1)
and the tax rate for that province, and
(B) in any other case, the rate set out in subsection 165(1),
(3) The description of A in subparagraph 183(6)(a)(ii) of the Act
A is
(I) the rate set out in subsection 165(1) if
1. the property is situated in a participating province at the
particular time, it was seized or repossessed before the day that
is three years after the implementation date for that province
(as defined in section 348) and tax would not have been payable
had the property been purchased in Canada from the person at
the time it was seized or repossessed, or
2. the property is situated in a non-participating province at the
particular time, and
(II) in any other case, the total of the rate set out in
subsection 165(1) and the tax rate for the participating province
in which the property is situated at the particular time,
(4) The description of A in paragraph 183(6)(b) of the Act
A is
(i) if the property is situated in a participating province at the
(5) Subsections (1) to (4) apply to property that is seized or
repossessed by a creditor if the creditor begins, on or after
July 1, 2006, to use the property otherwise than in the making
of a supply of the property.
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Annex 3
10. (1) The description of A in paragraph 184(3)(a) of the Act

A is
(i) if the supply is made in a participating province, the total of
province, and
(2) The description of A in subparagraph 184(4)(b)(i) of the Act
A is
(A) if the property is situated in a participating province at the
(B) in any other case, the rate set out in subsection 165(1),
(3) The description of A in subparagraph 184(5)(a)(ii) of the Act
A is
(A) the rate set out in subsection 165(1) if
(I) the property is situated in a participating province at the
particular time, it was transferred before the day that is three
years after the implementation date for that province (as defined
in section 348) and tax would not have been payable had the
property been purchased in Canada from the person at the time
it was transferred, or
(II) the property is situated in a non-participating province at the
particular time, and
(B) in any other case, the total of the rate set out in subsection
165(1) and the tax rate for the participating province in which the
property is situated at the particular time,
(4) The description of A in paragraph 184(5)(b) of the Act
A is
(i) if the property is situated in a participating province at the
257
(5) Subsections (1) to (4) apply to property that is transferred to an
insurer if the insurer begins on or after July 1, 2006 to use the
property otherwise than in the making of a supply of the property.
11. (1) The description of A in clause 184.1(2)(d)(i)(A) of the Act
A is
(I) if the supply deemed under subparagraph (a)(i) to be made
by the surety is made in a participating province, the total of the
rate set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax rate for the
participating province, and
(II) in any other case, the rate set out in subsection 165(1), and
(2) Subsection (1) applies to a person acting as a surety under a
performance bond in respect of a contract for a particular taxable
supply of construction services if a contract payment (within the
meaning of subsection 184.1(2) of the Act) becomes due or is paid
without having become due to the person on or after July 1, 2006
by reason of the person carrying on the particular construction.
(3) Despite subsection (2) and for the purpose of determining the
total amount of all input tax credits in respect of direct inputs (within
the meaning of paragraph 184.1(2)(c) of the Act), where a surety is
carrying on construction of real property situated in Canada as full or
partial satisfaction of the surety’s obligation under a bond, a contract
payment (within the meaning of paragraph 184.1(2)(a) of the Act),
other than a contract payment that is not in respect of the particular
construction, becomes due or is paid without having become due
before July 1, 2006 and another contract payment (within the meaning
of paragraph 184.1(2)(a) of the Act), other than a contract payment
that is not in respect of the particular construction, becomes due
without having been paid before that day or is paid without having
become due on or after that day, clause 184.1(2)(d)(i)(A) of the Act
shall be read as follows:
(A) the amount determined by the formula
(A x B) + (C x D)
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Annex 3
where
A is
(I) if the supply deemed under subparagraph (a)(i) to be made by
the surety is made in a participating province, the total of 7% and
the rate of tax for that participating province, and
(II) in any other case 7%,
B is the total of all contract payments (other than contract payments
that are not in respect of the particular construction) that become
due before July 1, 2006 or are paid, without having become due,
to the surety before that day,
C is
(I) if the supply deemed under subparagraph (a)(i) to be made by
the surety is made in a participating province, the total of 6% and
the rate of tax for the participating province, and
(II) in any other case, 6%, and
D is the total of all contract payments (other than contract payments
that are not in respect of the particular construction) that
becomes due on or after July 1, 2006 without having been paid
before that day or are paid, without having become due, to the
surety on or after July 1, 2006
12. (1) The description of B in paragraph 187(c) of the Act
B is
(i) if that supply is made in a participating province, the total of 100%,
province, and
(ii) in any other case, the total of 100% and the rate set out in
subsection 165(1),
(2) Subsection (1) comes into force, or is deemed to have come into
force, on July 1, 2006.
13. (1) Subsection 188(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Prizes
188. (1) If a commercial activity of a registrant (other than a registrant
to whom subsection (5) applies) consists of taking bets or conducting games
of chance and, in the course of that activity, the registrant pays an amount
259
of money at any time in a reporting period as a prize or winnings to a bettor

or a person playing or participating in the games, for the purpose of
determining an input tax credit of the registrant, the registrant shall be
deemed to have received at that time a taxable supply of a service for use
exclusively in the activity and to have paid, at that time, tax in respect of the
supply equal to the amount determined by the formula
(A/B) x C
where
A is
(a) if the supply is made in a participating province, the total of the rate
set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax rate for that province, and
(b) in any other case, the rate set out in subsection 165(1),
B is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for A, and
C is the amount of money paid as the prize or winnings.
(2) Subsection (1) is deemed to have come into force on
April 1, 1997.
14. (1) The portion of subsection 193(1) of the Act before
paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:
Sale of real property
193. (1) Subject to subsection (2.1), if at a particular time a registrant
makes a particular taxable supply of real property by way of sale, other than
(2) The portion of subsection 193(2) of the Act before paragraph (a)
Sale by public sector bodies
(2) Subject to subsection (2.1), if at a particular time a registrant that is a
public sector body (other than a financial institution) makes a particular
taxable supply of real property by way of sale (other than a supply that is
deemed under subsection 200(2) or 206(5) to have been made) and,
immediately before the time tax becomes payable in respect of the particular
taxable supply, the property was not used by the registrant primarily in
commercial activities of the registrant, except where subsection (1) applies,
the registrant may, despite section 170 and Subdivision d, claim an input tax
credit for the reporting period in which tax in respect of the particular
taxable supply became payable or is deemed to have been collected, as the
case may be, equal to the lesser of
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Annex 3
(3) Section 193 of the Act is amended by adding the following after
subsection (2):
Limitation
(2.1) If the particular taxable supply of property referred to in subsection
(1) or (2) is made at a particular time by a public sector body to another
person with whom the public sector body is not dealing at arm’s length,
the value of A in subsection (1) and the input tax credit under subsection
(2) shall not exceed the lesser of
(a) the basic tax content of the property at the particular time; and
(b) the amount determined by the formula
(A/B) x C
where
A is the basic tax content of the property at the particular time,
B is the amount that would be the basic tax content of the property
at that time if that amount were determined without reference
to the description of B in paragraph (a) and the description of K
in paragraph (b) of the definition of “basic tax content” in
subsection 123(1), and
C is the tax that is or would, in the absence of section 167, be payable
in respect of the particular taxable supply.
(4) Subsections (1) to (3) apply to any supply in respect of which tax
becomes payable or would have become payable, in the absence of
section 167 of the Act, on or after July 1, 2006.
15. (1) The description of A in paragraph 194(a) of the Act
A is
(i) if tax under subsection 165(2) was payable in respect of the supply,
the total of the rate set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax rate for
the participating province in which the supply was made, and
(2) Subsection (1) applies to any supply of real property in respect
of which ownership and possession under the agreement for the supply
are transferred on or after July 1, 2006.
261
16. (1) The description of A in paragraph 202(4)(b) of the Act

A is
(i) in the case of an acquisition or importation in respect of which tax
is payable only under subsection 165(1) or section 212 or 218, as the
case may require, and in the case of an acquisition deemed to have
been made under subsection (5) of a vehicle or aircraft in respect of
which no tax under subsection 165(2) was payable by the registrant,
the amount determined by the formula
C/D
where
D is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for C,
(ii) in the case of the bringing into a participating province of the
vehicle or aircraft from a non-participating province and in the case of
an acquisition in respect of which tax under section 220.06 is payable,
E/F
where
E is the tax rate for the participating province, and
F is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for E, and
(iii) in any other case, the amount determined by the formula
G/H
where
G is the total of the rate set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax rate
for a participating province, and
H is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for G, and
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Annex 3
(2) Subsection (1) applies to any taxation year of a registrant

that ends on or after July 1, 2006, except that for the taxation year
of the registrant that includes that day the description of A in
paragraph 202(4)(b) of the Act, as amended by subsection (1),
shall be read as follows:
A is
(i) in the case of an acquisition or importation in respect of which tax
is payable only under subsection 165(1) or section 212 or 218 of the
Act, as the case may require, and in the case of an acquisition deemed
to have been made under subsection (5) of a vehicle or aircraft in
respect of which no tax under subsection 165(2) of the Act was
payable by the registrant, 6.5/106.5,
(ii) in the case of the bringing into a participating province of the
vehicle or aircraft from a non-participating province and in the case of
an acquisition in respect of which tax under section 220.06 of the Act
is payable, 8/108, and
(iii) in any other case, 14.5/114.5, and
17. (1) Paragraphs 211(4)(a) and (b) of the Act are replaced
by the following:
(a) to have made, immediately before that day, a taxable supply of the
property by way of sale and to have collected, on that day, tax in respect
of the supply equal to the basic tax content of the property on that day;
and
(b) to have received, on that day, a taxable supply of the property by way
of sale and to have paid, on that day, tax in respect of the supply equal to
the basic tax content of the property on that day.
(2) Subsection (1) applies in respect of an election that is revoked
and ceases to have effect on or after May 2, 2006.
18. (1) Section 212 of the Act is replaced by the following:
212. Subject to this Part, every person who is liable under the Customs
Act to pay duty on imported goods, or who would be so liable if the goods
were subject to duty, shall pay to Her Majesty in right of Canada tax on the
goods calculated at the rate of 6% on the value of the goods.
(2) Subsection (1) applies to goods imported into Canada, or
released (as defined in the Customs Act), on or after July 1, 2006.
263

218. Subject to this Part, every recipient of an imported taxable supply
shall pay to Her Majesty in right of Canada tax calculated at the rate of 6%
on the value of the consideration for the imported taxable supply.
(2) Subsection (1) applies
(a) to any imported taxable supply made on or after July 1, 2006;
(b) for the purposes of calculating tax in respect of any imported
taxable supply made before July 1, 2006, but only in respect of
consideration that becomes due on or after that day without having
been paid before that day or that is paid, without having become
due, on or after July 1, 2006; and
(c) if neither paragraph (a) nor (b) applies, for the purposes of
determining or calculating tax that is not payable but would have
been payable on or after July 1, 2006, in the absence of certain
circumstances described in the Act.
20. (1) The description of E in subsection 225.2(2) of the Act
E is the rate set out in subsection 165(1);
(2) Subsection (1) applies for the purposes of determining the net
tax of a selected listed financial institution for a reporting period of the
selected listed financial institution that ends on or after July 1, 2006.
21. (1) The description of A in subparagraph 233(2)(a)(i) of the Act
A is the total of 100%, the rate set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax
rate for that province, and
(2) Subparagraph 233(2)(a)(ii) of the Act is replaced by
the following:
(ii) the total consideration for all supplies (in this subparagraph
referred to as the “non-participating provinces’ supplies”) that are
specified supplies to which subsection 165(2) did not apply by the
amount determined by the formula
(100%/A) x B
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Annex 3
where
A is the total of 100% and the rate set out in subsection 165(1),
B is
(A) if the particular person has made an election under this
subsection that is in effect for that fiscal year, the part of the
dividend that is in respect of the non-participating province’s
supplies, and
(B) in any other case, the amount determined by the formula
(C/D) x E
where
C is the portion of the total of the values determined,
in computing the specified amount in respect
of the dividend, for B and D in subsection (1)
that is attributable to supplies made in
non-participating provinces,
D is the total referred to in the description of C, and
E is the specified amount in respect of the dividend; and
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply in respect of a patronage dividend
paid on or after July 1, 2006.
22. (1) The description of A in subsection 253(1) of the Act
A is
(a) where the tax paid by the individual includes only tax imposed
under subsection 165(1) or section 212 or 218, the amount determined
by the formula
D/E
where
D is the rate set out in subsection 165(1), and
E is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for D,
265
(b) where the tax paid by the individual does not include any tax imposed
under any of those provisions, the amount determined by the formula
F/G
where
F is the tax rate for a participating province, and
G is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for F, and
(c) in any other case, the amount determined by the formula
H/I
where
H is the total of the rate set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax rate
for a participating province, and
I is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for H,
(2) Subparagraph 253(2)(a)(ii) of the Act is replaced by
the following:
(ii) paid tax in respect of the instrument equal to the amount
determined by the formula
AxB
where
A is
(A) where the tax paid by the individual includes only tax imposed
under subsection 165(1) or section 212 or 218, the amount
C/D
where
D is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for C,
(B) where the tax paid by the individual does not include any tax
imposed under any of those provisions, the amount determined
by the formula
E/F
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Annex 3
where
E is the tax rate for a participating province, and
F is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for E, and
(C) in any other case, the amount determined by the formula
G/H
where
G is the total of the rate set out in subsection 165(1) and the tax
rate for a participating province, and
H is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for G, and
B is the capital cost allowance in respect of that instrument that was
deductible under the Income Tax Act in computing the
individual’s income from the partnership for that calendar year;
(3) Subparagraph 253(2)(c)(ii) of the Act is replaced by
the following:
(ii) paid, in that reporting period, tax in respect of that acquisition
equal to the amount determined by the formula
AxB
where
A is
(A) where the tax paid by the individual includes only tax
imposed under subsection 165(1) or section 212 or 218,
C/D
where
D is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for C, and
(B) where the tax paid by the individual does not include any tax
imposed under any of those provisions, the amount determined
by the formula
E/F
267
where
E is the tax rate for a participating province, and
F is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for E,
and
(C) in any other case, the amount determined by the formula
G/H
where
G is the total of the rate set out in subsection 165(1) and
the tax rate for a participating province, and
H is the total of 100% and the percentage determined for G,
and
B is
(A) in the case of property imported by the individual, the
amount (not exceeding the total of the value of the property
determined under section 215 and the tax calculated on it) in
respect of the acquisition and importation of the property by
the individual that was deductible under the Income Tax Act
in computing the individual’s income from the partnership for
that calendar year, and
(B) in any other case, the amount in respect of the acquisition
of the property or service by the individual that was so
deductible in computing that income.
(4) Subsection (1) applies to any rebate for a calendar year after
2005, except that for the 2006 calendar year the description of A in
subsection 253(1) of the Act, as amended by subsection (1), shall be
read as follows:
A is
(a) where the tax paid by the individual includes only tax imposed under
subsection 165(1) or section 212 or 218, 6.5/106.5,
(b) where the tax paid by the individual does not include any tax imposed
under any of those provisions, 8/108, and
(c) in any other case, 14.5/114.5,
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Annex 3
(5) Subsections (2) and (3) are deemed to have come into force
on April 1, 1997, except that for the purpose of determining a rebate
under subsection 253(2) of the Act, as amended by subsections (2)
and (3), for the 2006 calendar year, the expression “the rate set out
in subsection 165(1)” shall be read as “6.5%”.
23. (1) Paragraph 254(2)(h) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(h) where the total consideration is not more than $350,000, an amount
equal to the lesser of $7,560 and 36% of the total tax paid by the
particular individual, and
(2) The description of A in paragraph 254(2)(i) of the Act
A is the lesser of $7,560 and 36% of the total tax paid by the particular
individual, and
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply to any rebate in respect of a supply
by way of sale of a residential complex in respect of which ownership
is transferred on or after July 1, 2006, to the particular individual
referred to in section 254 of the Act, unless the tax payable under
subsection 165(1) of the Act in respect of the supply of the complex
applied at the rate of 7%.
24. (1) Paragraph 254.1(2)(c) of the Act is replaced by the
following:
(c) the fair market value of the complex, at the time possession of the
complex is given to the particular individual under the agreement, is less
than $477,000,
(2) Paragraph 254.1(2)(h) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(h) if the fair market value referred to in paragraph (c) is not more than
$371,000, an amount equal to the lesser of $7,560 and 2.04% of the total
(in this subsection referred to as the “total consideration”) of all amounts,
each of which is the consideration payable by the particular individual to
the builder for the supply by way of sale to the particular individual of the
building or part of a building referred to in paragraph (a) or of any other
structure that forms part of the complex, other than consideration that
can reasonably be regarded as rent for the supplies of the land attributable
to the complex or as consideration for the supply of an option to purchase
that land, and
269
(3) Paragraph 254.1(2)(i) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(i) if the fair market value referred to in paragraph (c) is more
than $371,000 but less than $477,000, the amount determined
by the formula
A x [($477,000 - B)/$106,000]
where
A is the lesser of $7,560 and 2.04% of the total consideration, and
B is the fair market value referred to in paragraph (c).
(4) Paragraph 254.1(2.1)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(a) an individual is entitled to a rebate under subsection (2), or to be paid
or credited the amount of such a rebate under subsection (4), in respect
of a residential complex situated in Nova Scotia or would be so entitled
if the fair market value of the complex, at the time possession of the
complex is given to the individual under the agreement for the supply
of the complex to the individual, were less than $477,000, and
(5) Subsections (1) to (4) apply in respect of a supply, to a particular
individual referred to in section 254.1 of the Act, of a building or part
of it in which a residential unit forming part of a residential complex
is situated if possession of the unit is given to the particular individual
on or after July 1, 2006, unless the builder is deemed under section
191 of the Act to have paid tax under subsection 165(1) of the Act
calculated at the rate of 7% in respect of the supply referred to in
paragraph 254.1(2)(d) of the Act.
25. (1) Paragraph 255(2)(d) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(d) the total (in this subsection referred to as the “total consideration”)
of all amounts, each of which is the consideration payable for the supply
to the particular individual of the share or an interest in the corporation,
complex or unit, is less than $477,000,
(2) Paragraphs 255(2)(g) and (h) of the Act are replaced by
the following:
(g) if the total consideration is not more than $371,000, an amount equal
to the lesser of $7,560 and 2.04% of the total consideration, and
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Annex 3
(h) if the total consideration is more than $371,000 but less than
$477,000, the amount determined by the formula
A x [($477,000 - B)/$106,000]
where
A is the lesser of $7,560 and 2.04% of the total consideration, and
B is the total consideration.
(3) Paragraph 255(2.1)(c) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(c) the individual is entitled to a rebate under subsection (2) in respect of
the share or would be so entitled if the total (in this subsection referred to
as the “total consideration”) of all amounts, each of which is the
consideration payable for the supply to the individual of the share or an
interest in the corporation, complex or unit, were less than $477,000,
(4) Subsections (1) to (3) apply for the purpose of determining
a rebate in respect of a supply, by a cooperative housing corporation to
an individual, of a share of the capital stock of the corporation if the
individual is acquiring the share for the purposes of using a residential
unit in a residential complex as the primary place of residence of the
individual, or a relation (as defined in subsection 255(1) of the Act) of
the individual, and the rebate application is filed on or after July 1,
2006, unless the corporation paid tax under subsection 165(1) of the
Act in respect of the supply of the complex to the corporation
calculated at the rate of 7%.
26. (1) The portion of subsection 256(2) of the Act after
subparagraph (d)(ii) is replaced by the following:
the Minister shall, subject to subsection (3), pay a rebate to the particular
individual equal to the amount determined by the formula
A x ($450,000 - B)/$100,000
where
A is the lesser of 36% of the total tax paid by the particular individual before
an application for the rebate is filed with the Minister in accordance with
subsection (3) and
(i) if all or substantially all of that tax was paid at the rate of 6%,
$7,560, and
(ii) in any other case, the lesser of $8,750 and the amount determined
by the formula
(C x $1,260) + $7,560
271
where
C is the extent (expressed as a percentage) to which that tax was
paid at the rate of 7%, and
B is the greater of $350,000 and the fair market value of the complex
referred to in paragraph (b).
(2) Subsection (1) applies to any rebate in respect of a residential
complex for which an application is filed with the Minister of National
Revenue on or after July 1, 2006.
27. (1) The portion of the description of A in subsection 256.2(3)
of the Act before the formula is replaced by the following:
A is the lesser of $7,560 and the amount determined by the formula
(2) The portion of the description of A in subsection 256.2(4)
(3) The portion of the description of A in subsection 256.2(5)
(4) Subsection (1) applies to
(a) a taxable supply to a recipient from another person of a
residential complex or an interest in a residential complex, in respect
of which ownership and possession under the agreement for the
supply are transferred on or after July 1, 2006, unless the agreement
for the supply is evidenced in writing and was entered into on or
before May 2, 2006; and
(b) a deemed purchase (within the meaning of subparagraph
256.2(3)(a)(ii) of the Act) by a builder if the tax in respect of the
deemed purchase of a complex or an addition to a complex is deemed
to have been paid on or after July 1, 2006.
(5) Subsection (2) applies to a supply of a building or part of it
forming part of a residential complex and a supply of land, described
in subparagraphs 256.2(4)(a)(i) and (ii) of the Act, that result in a
person being deemed under section 191 of the Act to have made and
received a taxable supply by way of sale of the complex or of an
addition to it on or after July 1, 2006, unless the supply is deemed
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Annex 3
to have been made as a consequence of the builder giving possession

of a residential unit in the complex or addition to a person under an
agreement for the supply by way of sale of the building or part of it
forming part of the complex or addition and
(a) the agreement was entered into on or before May 2, 2006, or
(b) another agreement was entered into on or before May 2, 2006
by the builder and another person and that other agreement was not
terminated before July 1, 2006 and was for the supply by way of sale
of the building or part of it forming part of
(i) in the case of a deemed supply of a complex, the complex, or
(ii) in the case of a deemed supply of an addition, the addition.
(6) Subsection (3) applies to
(a) a taxable supply by way of sale to a recipient from another person
of a residential complex, or an interest in a residential complex, in
respect of which ownership and possession under the agreement
for the supply are transferred on or after July 1, 2006, unless the
agreement is evidenced in writing and was entered into on or
before May 2, 2006; and
(b) a deemed purchase (within the meaning of subparagraph
256.2(5)(a)(ii) of the Act) by a builder if the tax in respect of the
deemed purchase of a complex or an addition to a complex is deemed
to have been paid on or after July 1, 2006.
28. (1) The Act is amended by adding the following after
section 256.2:
Transitional rebate
256.3 (1) If a particular person, other than a cooperative
housing corporation,
(a) pursuant to an agreement of purchase and sale, evidenced in writing,
entered into on or before May 2, 2006, is the recipient of a taxable supply
by way of sale from another person of a residential complex in respect
of which ownership and possession under the agreement are transferred
to the particular person on or after July 1, 2006,
(b) has paid all of the tax under subsection 165(1) in respect of the supply
calculated at the rate of 7%, and
273
(c) is not entitled to claim an input tax credit or a rebate, other than
a rebate under this subsection, in respect of the tax referred to in
paragraph (b),
person equal to 1% of the value of the consideration for the supply.
Transitional rebate
(2) If a particular person, other than a cooperative housing corporation,
to the particular person on or after July 1, 2006,
(c) is entitled to claim a rebate under subsection 256.2(3) in respect of
any residential unit situated in the complex,
person equal to the amount determined by the formula
A x [0.01 - ((B/A)/7)]
where
A is the consideration payable for the supply to the particular person of the
complex, and
B is the amount of the rebate under subsection 256.2(3) that the particular
person is entitled to claim in respect of the complex.
Transitional rebate
(3) If a particular person, other than a cooperative housing corporation,
by way of sale from another person of a residential complex in respect of
which ownership and possession under the agreement are transferred to
the particular person on or after July 1, 2006,
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Annex 3
(c) is entitled to claim a rebate under section 259 in respect of the tax
referred to in paragraph (b) and is not entitled to claim any input tax
credit or any other rebate, other than a rebate under this subsection, in
respect of that tax,
person equal to the amount determined by the formula
A x [0.01 - ((B/A)/7)]
where
A is the consideration payable for the supply to the particular person of the
complex, and
B is
(i) in the case where the complex is situated in a participating province,
the amount of the rebate under section 259 that the particular person
would have been entitled to claim if no tax under subsection 165(2)
would have been payable or paid in respect of the complex; and
(ii) in any other case, the amount of the rebate under section 259 that the
particular person is entitled to claim in respect of the complex.
Transitional rebate
(4) If a cooperative housing corporation
to the corporation on or after July 1, 2006,
(c) is not entitled to claim an input tax credit or a rebate, other than
a rebate under this subsection or under section 256.2 or 259, in respect
of the tax referred to in paragraph (b),
the Minister shall, subject to subsection (7), pay a rebate to the corporation
equal to the amount determined by the formula
A x [0.01 - ((B/A)/7)]
where
A is the consideration payable for the supply, and
275
B is
(i) if the corporation is entitled to claim a rebate under section 259 in
respect of the complex,
(A) in the case where the complex is situated in a participating
province, the amount of the rebate under section 259 that the
corporation would have been entitled to claim if no tax under
subsection 165(2) would have been payable or paid in respect
of the complex, and
(B) in any other case, the amount of the rebate under section 259
that the corporation is entitled to claim in respect of the complex,
(ii) 36% of the tax paid under subsection 165(1) by the corporation in
respect of the supply if the corporation is not entitled to claim a rebate
under section 259 in respect of the complex, and
(A) the corporation is entitled to, or can reasonably expect to be
entitled to, claim a rebate under section 256.2 in respect of any
residential unit situated in the complex, or
(B) it is the case that, or it can reasonably be expected that, a share
of the capital stock of the corporation is or will be sold to
an individual for the purpose of using a residential unit in the
complex as the primary place of residence of the individual, or of
a relation (as defined in subsection 255(1)) of the individual, and
that the individual is or will be entitled to claim a rebate under
section 255 in respect of the share, and
(iii) in any other case, zero.
Transitional rebate
(5) If a particular individual
by way of sale from another person of a residential complex in respect of
which ownership and possession under the agreement are transferred to
the particular individual on or after July 1, 2006,
(c) is entitled to claim a rebate under subsection 254(2) in respect of
the complex,
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Annex 3
individual equal to the amount determined by the formula
A x [0.01 - ((B/A)/7)]
where
A is the total of all amounts, each of which is the consideration payable for
the supply to the particular individual of the complex or for any other
taxable supply to the particular individual of an interest in the complex
in respect of which the particular individual has paid tax under
subsection 165(1) calculated at the rate of 7%, and
B is the amount of the rebate under subsection 254(2) that the particular
individual is entitled to claim in respect of the complex.
Group of individuals
(6) If a supply of a residential complex is made to two or more individuals,
the references in subsection (5) to a particular individual shall be read as
references to all of those individuals as a group, but only the particular
individual that applied for the rebate under section 254 may apply for the
rebate under subsection (5).
Application for rebate
(7) A rebate under this section in respect of a residential complex shall not
be paid to a person unless the person files an application for the rebate
within two years after the day that ownership of the complex is transferred to
the person.
Transitional rebate where section 254.1 applies
256.4 (1) If
(a) under an agreement, evidenced in writing, entered into on or before
May 2, 2006 between a particular person and a builder of a residential
complex that is a single unit residential complex or a residential
condominium unit, the particular person is the recipient of
(i) an exempt supply by way of lease of the land forming part
of the complex or an exempt supply of such a lease by way of
assignment, and
(ii) an exempt supply by way of sale of the building or part of it in
which the residential unit forming part of the complex is situated,
277
(b) possession of the complex is given to the particular person under the
agreement on or after July 1, 2006,
(c) the builder is deemed under subsection 191(1) to have made and
received a supply of the complex as a consequence of giving possession
of the complex to the particular person under the agreement and to have
paid tax under subsection 165(1) in respect of the supply calculated
at the rate of 7%, and
(d) the particular person is entitled to claim a rebate under
subsection 254.1(2) in respect of the complex,
the Minister shall, subject to subsection (4),
(e) pay a rebate to the particular person equal to the amount determined
by the formula
A x [0.01 - ((B/A)/7)]
where
A is the amount determined by the formula
C x (100/D)
where
C is the total of all amounts, each of which is the consideration
payable by the particular person to the builder for the supply by
way of sale to the particular person of the building or part of the
building referred to in subparagraph (a)(ii) or of any other
structure that forms part of the complex, other than consideration
that can reasonably be regarded as rent for the supplies of the land
attributable to the complex or as consideration for the supply of
an option to purchase that land,
D is
(i) if the complex is situated in a participating province, 115, and
(ii) in any other case, 107, and
B is the amount of the rebate under subsection 254.1(2) that the
particular person is entitled to claim in respect of the complex; and
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Annex 3
(f) if the builder is not entitled to claim an input tax credit or a rebate,
other than a rebate under this subsection or under subsection 256.2(4),
in respect of the tax referred to in paragraph (c), pay a rebate to the
builder equal to the amount determined by the formula
(E - F) x [0.01 - ((G/(E - F))/7)]
where
E is the fair market value of the complex at the time that the builder is
deemed to have made the supply referred to in paragraph (c),
F is the amount determined for A under paragraph (e), and
G is the amount of the rebate, if any, that the builder is entitled to claim
under subsection 256.2(4).
Transitional rebate where section 254.1 does not apply
(2) If
(a) under an agreement, evidenced in writing, entered into on or before
May 2, 2006 between a particular person and a builder of a residential
complex that is a single unit residential complex or a residential
(i) an exempt supply by way of lease of the land forming part of the
complex or an exempt supply of such a lease by way of assignment,
and
which the residential unit forming part of the complex is situated,
(b) possession of the complex is given to the particular person under the
agreement on or after July 1, 2006,
(c) the builder is deemed under subsection 191(1) to have made and
received a supply of the complex as a consequence of giving possession of
the complex to the particular person under the agreement and to have
paid tax under subsection 165(1) in respect of the supply calculated at the
rate of 7%, and
(d) the particular person is not entitled to claim a rebate under subsection
254.1(2) in respect of the complex;
279
(e) pay a rebate to the particular person equal to the amount determined
by the formula
A/B
where
A is the total of all amounts, each of which is the consideration payable by
the particular person to the builder for the supply by way of sale to
the particular person of the building or part of the building referred
to in subparagraph (a)(ii) or of any other structure that forms part of
the complex, other than consideration that can reasonably be regarded
as rent for the supplies of the land attributable to the complex or as
consideration for the supply of an option to purchase that land, and
B is
(ii) in any other case, 107; and
(f) if the builder is not entitled to claim an input tax credit or a rebate,
other than a rebate under this subsection, in respect of the tax referred to
in paragraph (c), pay a rebate to the builder equal to the amount
0.01 x [C - (D x (100 / E))]
where
C is the fair market value of the complex at the time the builder is deemed
to have made the supply referred to in paragraph (c),
D is the total of all amounts, each of which is the consideration payable
by the particular person to the builder for the supply by way of sale
to the particular person of the building or part of the building
referred to in subparagraph (a)(ii) or of any other structure that forms
part of the complex, other than consideration that can reasonably be
regarded as rent for the supplies of the land attributable to the
complex or as consideration for the supply of an option to purchase
that land, and
E is
(ii) in any other case, 107.
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Annex 3
(3) If the supplies described in subsection (1) or (2) are made to two or
more individuals, the references in that subsection to a particular person
shall be read as references to all of those individuals as a group, but, in the
case of a rebate where paragraph (1)(e) applies, only the individual that
applied for the rebate under section 254.1 may apply for the rebate under
subsection (1).
within two years after
(a) in the case of a rebate to a person other than the builder of the
complex, the day possession of the complex is transferred to the
person, and
(b) in the case of a rebate to the builder of the complex, the end of the
month in which the tax referred to in paragraph (1)(c) or (2)(c) is deemed
to have been paid by the builder.
Transitional rebate for purchaser
256.5 (1) Where
(a) under an agreement, evidenced in writing, entered into between a
particular person and a builder of a residential complex or of an addition
to it, other than a single unit residential complex or a residential
(i) an exempt supply by way of lease of the land forming part of
the complex or an exempt supply of such a lease by way of
assignment, and
(ii) an exempt supply by way of sale of the building or part of it
in which a residential unit forming part of the complex or of the
addition is situated,
(b) possession of a residential unit forming part of the complex or of the
addition is given to the particular person under the agreement on or after
July 1, 2006,
(c) the builder is deemed under subsection 191(3) or (4) to have
made and received a supply of the complex or of the addition as a
consequence of giving possession
281
(i) of the residential unit to the particular person under the

agreement, or
(ii) of a residential unit forming part of the complex or of the addition
to another person under an agreement described in paragraph (a)
entered into between the other person and the builder,
(d) the builder is deemed to have paid tax under subsection 165(1) in
respect of the supply calculated at the rate of 7%, and
(e) if the builder is deemed to have paid the tax referred to in
paragraph (d) on or after July 1, 2006, it is the case that the builder and
(i) the particular person entered into the agreement on or before
May 2, 2006, or
(ii) a person, other than the particular person, entered into an
agreement described in paragraph (a) in respect of a residential unit
situated in the residential complex or in the addition that the builder
is deemed to have supplied (as described in paragraph (c)) on or
before May 2, 2006 and that agreement was not terminated before
July 1, 2006,
(f) if the particular person is entitled to claim a rebate under
subsection 254.1(2) in respect of the complex, pay a rebate to the
particular person equal to the amount determined by the formula
A x [0.01 - ((B/A)/7)]
where
C x (100/D)
where
C is the total of all amounts, each of which is the consideration
payable by the particular person to the builder for the supply
by way of sale to the particular person of the building or part
of the building referred to in subparagraph (a)(ii) or of any
other structure that forms part of the complex or of the addition,
other than consideration that can reasonably be regarded as
rent for the supplies of the land attributable to the complex
or as consideration for the supply of an option to purchase
that land, and
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Annex 3
D is
B is the amount of the rebate under subsection 254.1 that the particular
person is entitled to claim in respect of the complex, and
(g) if the particular person is not entitled to claim a rebate under
subsection 254.1(2) in respect of the complex, pay a rebate to the
particular person equal to the amount determined by the formula
E/F
where
E is the total of all amounts, each of which is the consideration payable by
the particular person to the builder for the supply by way of sale to
the particular person of the building or part of a building referred to
in subparagraph (a)(ii) or of any other structure that forms part of the
complex or of the addition, other than consideration that can
reasonably be regarded as rent for the supplies of the land attributable
to the complex or as consideration for the supply of an option to
purchase that land, and
F is
(ii) in any other case, 107.
(2) If the supplies described in subsection (1) are made to two or more
individuals, the references in that subsection to a particular person shall be
read as references to all of those individuals as a group, but, in the case of a
rebate under paragraph (1)(f), only the individual that applied for the rebate
under section 254.1 may apply for the rebate under that paragraph.
within two years after the day possession of the unit referred to in
paragraph (1)(b) is transferred to the person.
283
Transitional rebate for builder

256.6 (1) If
(a) under an agreement, evidenced in writing, entered into between a
particular person and a builder of a residential complex, other than a
single unit residential complex or a residential condominium unit, or of an
addition to it the particular person is the recipient of
(i) an exempt supply by way of lease of the land forming part of the
complex or a supply of such a lease by way of assignment, and
which a residential unit forming part of the complex or of the
addition is situated,
(b) the builder is deemed under subsection 191(3) or (4) to have made
and received on or after July 1, 2006 a supply of the complex or of the
addition as a consequence of giving possession
(i) of the residential unit to the particular person under the
agreement, or
(ii) of a residential unit forming part of the complex or of the addition
to another person under an agreement described in paragraph (a)
entered into between the other person and the builder,
(c) the builder and
(i) the particular person entered into the agreement on or before
May 2, 2006, or
(ii) a person, other than the particular person, entered into an
agreement described in paragraph (a) in respect of a residential
unit situated in the residential complex or in the addition that the
builder is deemed to have supplied (as described in paragraph (b))
on or before May 2, 2006 and that agreement was not terminated
before July 1, 2006,
(d) the builder is deemed to have paid tax under subsection 165(1)
in respect of the supply referred to in paragraph (b) at the rate of 7%; and
(e) the builder is not entitled to claim an input tax credit or a rebate,
other than a rebate under this subsection or under subsection 256.2(4),
in respect of the tax referred to in paragraph (d),
the Minister shall, subject to subsection (2), pay a rebate to the builder equal
to the amount determined by the formula
A x [0.01 - ((B/A)/7)]
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Annex 3
where
C - [D x (100/E)]
where
C is the fair market value of the complex at the time the builder is deemed
to have made the supply referred to in paragraph (b),
D is
(i) if the builder is deemed to have made a supply of a complex,
the total of all amounts, each of which is the consideration payable
by a person to the builder for the supply by way of sale to the
person of the building or part of it forming part of the complex or
of any other structure that forms part of the complex, or
(ii) if the builder is deemed to have made a supply of an addition,
the total of all amounts, each of which is the consideration payable
by a person to the builder for the supply by way of sale to the
person of the building or part of it forming part of the addition
or of any other structure that forms part of the addition, and
E is
B is the rebate, if any, under subsection 256.2(4) that the builder is entitled
to claim in respect of the complex, or, if the builder is deemed to have
made a supply of an addition, of the addition.
(2) A rebate under this section in respect of a residential complex or
of an addition to it shall not be paid to a person, unless the person files
an application for the rebate within two years after the end of the month
in which tax referred to subsection (1) is deemed to have been paid by
the person.
29. (1) The portion of subsection 257(1) of the Act before
paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:
285
Non-registrant sale of real property

257. (1) If a person who is not a registrant makes a particular taxable
supply of real property by way of sale, the Minister shall, subject to
subsections (1.1) and (2), pay a rebate to the person equal to the lesser of
(2) Section 257 of the Act is amended by adding the following after
subsection (1):
Limitation
(1.1) If the particular taxable supply referred to in subsection (1) is made at
a particular time by a public sector body to another person with whom the
public sector body is not dealing at arm’s length, the rebate under
subsection (1) shall not exceed the lesser of
(a) the basic tax content of the property at the particular time; and
(b) the amount determined by the formula
(A/B) x C
where
A is the basic tax content of the property at the particular time,
B is the amount that would be the basic tax content of the property at
that time if that amount were determined without reference to the
description of B in paragraph (a) and the description of K in
paragraph (b) of the definition “basic tax content” in subsection
123(1), and
C is the tax that is or would, in the absence of section 167, be payable
in respect of the particular taxable supply.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply to a supply for which tax becomes
payable or would have become payable, in the absence of section 167
of the Act, on or after July 1, 2006.
30. (1) Subparagraph (a)(ii) of the definition “non-creditable tax
charged” in subsection 259(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(ii) tax deemed under subsection 129(6), 129.1(4), 171(3) or 183(4),
or section 191 to have been collected during the period by the person
in respect of the property or service,
(2) Subsection (1) applies to tax deemed to have been collected
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Annex 3
31. (1) The Act is amended by adding the following after

section 274:
Rate change — variation of agreement
274.1 If
(a) at any time before July 1, 2006, a supplier and a recipient enter into
an agreement for a taxable supply of property or a service,
(b) the supplier and the recipient at a later time either directly or indirectly
(i) vary or alter the agreement for the supply, or
(ii) terminate the agreement and enter into one or more new
agreements with each other or with other persons where under one
or more of those agreements the supplier supplies, and the recipient
receives, one or more supplies that includes all or substantially all
the property or service referred to in paragraph (a),
(c) the supplier, the recipient and the other persons are not dealing with
each other at arm’s length at the time the agreement is entered into or at
the later time,
(d) tax under subsection 165(1) or section 218 in respect of the supply
referred to in paragraph (a) would have been calculated at the rate of 7%
on all or part of the value of the consideration for the supply attributable
to the property or service in the absence of the variation, alteration or
termination of the agreement,
(e) tax under subsection 165(1) or section 218 in respect of the supply
made under the varied or altered agreement or made under any of the
new agreements would, in the absence of this section, be calculated at
the rate of 6% on any part of the value of the consideration for the supply,
attributable to any part of the property or service, on which tax, in respect
of the supply referred to in paragraph (a), was initially calculated at the
rate of 7%, and
(f) the variation or alteration of the agreement or the entering into of the
new agreements may not reasonably be considered for both the supplier
and the recipient to have been undertaken or arranged primarily for bona
fide purposes other than to benefit in any manner from the rate change,
the following rule applies
(g) tax under subsection 165(1) or section 218 in respect of the supply
made under the varied or altered agreement or made under any of the
new agreements shall be calculated at the rate of 7% on any part of the
287
value of the consideration, referred to in paragraph (e), for the supply

attributable to any part of the property or service.
Definitions
274.2 (1) The following definitions apply in this section.
“person”
“person” does not include a consumer.
“rate change”
“rate change” means any change in any rate of tax imposed under this Part.
“tax benefit”
“tax benefit” means a reduction, an avoidance or a deferral of tax or other
amount payable under this Part or an increase in a refund or rebate of tax or
other amount under this Part.
“transaction”
“transaction” has the meaning assigned by subsection 274(1).
Rate change — transactions
(2) If
(a) a transaction, or a series of transactions, involving property is made
between two or more persons, all of whom are not dealing with each
other at arm’s length at the time any of those transactions are made,
(b) the transaction, any of the transactions in the series of transactions
or the series of transactions would in the absence of this section result
directly or indirectly in a tax benefit to one or more of the persons
involved in the transaction or series of transactions, and
(c) it may not reasonably be considered that the transaction, or the series
of transactions, has been undertaken or arranged primarily for bona fide
purposes other than to obtain a tax benefit, arising from a rate change,
for one or more of the persons involved in the transaction or series
of transactions,
the amount of tax, net tax, input tax credit, rebate or other amount payable
by, or refundable to, any of those persons under this Part, or any other
amount that is relevant to the purposes of computing that amount shall be
determined as is reasonable in the circumstances in order to deny the tax
benefit to any of those persons.
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Denying tax benefit on transactions

(3) Despite any other provisions of this Part, a tax benefit shall only be
denied under subsection (2) through an assessment, reassessment or
additional assessment.
Request for adjustments
(4) If, with respect to a transaction, a notice of assessment, reassessment or
additional assessment involving the application of subsection (2) with respect
to the transaction has been sent to a person, any person (other than a person
to whom such a notice has been sent) shall be entitled, within one hundred
and eighty days after the day of mailing of the notice, to request in writing
that the Minister make an assessment, a reassessment or an additional
assessment, applying subsection (2) with respect to that transaction.
Duties of Minister
(5) On receipt of a request by a person under subsection (4), the Minister
shall, with all due dispatch, consider the request and, despite subsections
298(1) and (2), assess, reassess or make an additional assessment with
respect to the person, except that an assessment, a reassessment or an
additional assessment may be made under this subsection only to the extent
that it may reasonably be regarded as relating to the transaction referred to
in subsection (4).
(2) Section 274.1 of the Act, as enacted by subsection (1), applies
to any agreement varied, altered, terminated or entered into on or after
May 2, 2006.
(3) Section 274.2 of the Act, as enacted by subsection (1), applies
to any transaction made on or after May 2, 2006.
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Part II—Excise Act, 2001

(Tobacco Products)
Excise Act, 2001
32. (1) The Excise Act, 2001 is amended by adding the following
after section 58:
PART 3.1
TOBACCO PRODUCTS INVENTORY TAX
Definitions
58.1 The definitions in this section apply in this Part.
“loose tobacco”
“loose tobacco” means loose, fine-cut manufactured tobacco for use
in making cigarettes.
“separate retail establishment”
“separate retail establishment” of a person means a shop or store
of the person
(a) that is geographically separate from other places of business
of the person;
(b) at which, in the ordinary course of the person’s business, the person
regularly sells, otherwise than through vending machines, tobacco
products to consumers, within the meaning of section 123 of the Excise
Tax Act, attending at the shop or store; and
(c) in respect of which separate records are maintained.
“taxed tobacco”
“taxed tobacco” of a person means cigarettes, tobacco sticks, loose tobacco
and cigars, in respect of which duty has been imposed under section 42
before July 1, 2006 at a rate set out in paragraph 1(b), 2(b) or 3(b) of
Schedule 1 or in section 4 of that Schedule, as those provisions read on
June 30, 2006, and that, at the beginning of July 1, 2006,
(a) were owned by that person for sale in the ordinary course of a
business of the person;
(b) were not held in a vending machine; and
(c) were not relieved from that duty under this Act.
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“unit”
“unit” means one cigarette, tobacco stick, gram of loose tobacco or cigar.
Imposition of tax
58.2 Subject to section 58.3, every person shall pay to Her Majesty a tax
on all taxed tobacco of the person at the rate of
(a) 0.2799 cent per cigarette;
(b) 0.2517 cent per tobacco stick;
(c) 0.1919 cent per gram of loose tobacco; and
(d) 0.1814 cent per cigar.
Exemption for small retail inventory
58.3 Tax under this Part in respect of the inventory of all taxed tobacco
of a person that is held at the beginning of July 1, 2006 at a separate retail
establishment of the person is not payable if that retail establishment
holds inventory of 30,000 or fewer units.
Taking of inventory
58.4 Every person liable to pay tax under this Part shall, for the purposes
of this Part, determine that person’s inventory of all taxed tobacco.
Returns
58.5 (1) Every person liable to pay tax under this Part shall, on or before
August 31, 2006, file a return with the Minister in the prescribed form
and manner.
Separate returns
(2) A person authorized under subsection 239(2) of the Excise Tax Act
to file separate returns in respect of a separate branch or division may file
separate returns under this Part in respect of that branch or division.
Payment
58.6 (1) Every person shall pay to the Receiver General the total tax
payable by the person under this Part on or before August 31, 2006.
Minimum interest
(2) No interest in respect of an amount payable by a person under this
Part is payable if, at the time the person pays the amount, the total of that
interest otherwise payable is less than $25.
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Extension
(3) The Minister may at any time extend in writing the time for filing a
return, or paying the tax payable, under this Part and, where the Minister
so extends the time,
(a) the return shall be filed or tax payable shall be paid within the time
as so extended; and
(b) interest is payable under section 170 as if the time had not
been extended.
(2) Subsection (1) comes into force, or is deemed to have come
into force, on July 1, 2006.
33. (1) Subparagraphs 216(2)(a)(i) to (iv) of the Act are replaced
by the following:
(i) $0.165 multiplied by the number of cigarettes to which the
offence relates,
(ii) $0.121 multiplied by the number of tobacco sticks to which
the offence relates,
(iii) $0.112 multiplied by the number of grams of manufactured
tobacco other than cigarettes or tobacco sticks to which the offence
relates, and
(iv) $0.284 multiplied by the number of cigars to which the
offence relates, and
(2) Subparagraphs 216(3)(a)(i) to (iv) of the Act are replaced
by the following:
(i) $0.246 multiplied by the number of cigarettes to which
(ii) $0.182 multiplied by the number of tobacco sticks to which
(iii) $0.168 multiplied by the number of grams of manufactured
tobacco other than cigarettes or tobacco sticks to which the offence
relates, and
(iv) $0.66 multiplied by the number of cigars to which the offence
relates, and
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) come into force on the later of
July 1, 2006 and the date on which these subsections are assented to.
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34. (1) Paragraphs 240(a) to (c) of the Act are replaced by

the following:
(a) $0.355548 per cigarette that was removed in contravention of
that subsection,
(b) $0.205 per tobacco stick that was removed in contravention of
that subsection, and
(c) $203.804 per kilogram of manufactured tobacco, other than cigarettes
and tobacco sticks, that was removed in contravention of that subsection.
(2) Subsection (1) comes into force on the later of July 1, 2006
and the date on which that subsection is assented to.
35. (1) Paragraph 1(b) of Schedule 1 to the Act is replaced
by the following:
(b) $0.41025 for each five cigarettes or fraction of five cigarettes
contained in any package, in any other case.
36. (1) Paragraph 2(b) of Schedule 1 to the Act is replaced by
the following:
(b) $0.0605 per stick, in any other case.
37. (1) Paragraph 3(b) of Schedule 1 to the Act is replaced by
the following:
(b) $55.90 per kilogram, in any other case.
38. (1) Section 4 of Schedule 1 to the Act is replaced by
the following:
4. Cigars: $16.60 per 1,000 cigars.
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39. (1) Paragraph (a) of Schedule 2 to the Act is replaced by

the following:
(a) $0.066 per cigar, and
(2) The portion of paragraph (b) of Schedule 2 to the Act before
subparagraph (i) is replaced by the following:
(b) 66%, computed on
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) come into force, or are deemed to have
come into force, on July 1, 2006.
Application
40. For the purposes of applying the provisions of the Customs Act
that provide for the payment of, or the liability to pay, interest in
respect of any amount, the amount shall be determined and interest
shall be computed on it as though sections 35 to 39 had been assented
to on July 1, 2006.
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Part III—Excise Act and Excise Act, 2001

(Alcohol Products)
Excise Act
41. (1) Sections 1 and 2 of Part II of the schedule to the Excise Act
are replaced by the following:
1. On all beer or malt liquor containing more than 2.5% absolute ethyl
alcohol by volume, $31.22 per hectolitre.
2. On all beer or malt liquor containing more than 1.2% absolute ethyl
alcohol by volume but not more than 2.5% absolute ethyl alcohol by
volume, $15.61 per hectolitre.
Excise Act, 2001

42. (1) Subparagraphs 217(2)(a)(i) and (ii) of the Excise Act, 2001
are replaced by the following:
(i) $11.696 multiplied by the number of litres of absolute ethyl
alcohol in the spirits to which the offence relates,
(ii) $0.62 multiplied by the number of litres of wine to which
the offence relates, and
(2) Subparagraphs 217(3)(a)(i) and (ii) of the Act are replaced
by the following:
alcohol in the spirits to which the offence relates,
(ii) $1.24 multiplied by the number of litres of wine to which the
43. (1) Subparagraphs 218(2)(a)(i) and (ii) of the Act are replaced
by the following:
alcohol in the spirits to which the offence relates, and
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(2) Subparagraphs 218(3)(a)(i) and (ii) of the Act are replaced

by the following:
alcohol in the spirits to which the offence relates, and
Contravention of section 72
242. Every person who contravenes section 72 is liable to a penalty equal
to $1.24 per litre of wine to which the contravention relates.
and the date on which that provision is assented to.
45. (1) Paragraph 243(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(b) if the contravention relates to wine, $0.62 per litre of that wine.
and the date on which that provision is assented to.
46. (1) Sections 1 and 2 of Schedule 4 to the Act are replaced
by the following:
1. Spirits: $11.696 per litre of absolute ethyl alcohol contained
in the spirits.
2. Spirits containing not more than 7% absolute ethyl alcohol by volume:
$0.295 per litre of spirits.
47. (1) Paragraphs (b) and (c) of Schedule 6 to the Act are replaced
by the following:
(b) in the case of wine that contains more than 1.2% of absolute ethyl
alcohol by volume but not more than 7% of absolute ethyl alcohol
by volume, $0.295 per litre; and
(c) in the case of wine that contains more than 7% of absolute ethyl
alcohol by volume, $0.62 per litre.
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Application
48. For the purposes of applying the provisions of the Customs Act
and the Excise Act that provide for the payment of, or the liability to
pay, interest in respect of any amount, the amount shall be determined
and interest shall be computed on it as though sections 41, 46 and 47
had been assented to on July 1, 2006.
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Part IV—Air Travellers Security Charge Act

49. (1) The portion of paragraph 12(1)(a) of the Air Travellers
Security Charge Act before subparagraph (i) is replaced by the
following:
(a) $4.67 for each chargeable emplanement included in the service, to a
maximum of $9.34, if
(2) The portion of paragraph 12(1)(b) of the Act before
(b) $4.95 for each chargeable emplanement included in the service, to a
(3) The portion of paragraph 12(1)(d) of the Act before
(d) $8.42 for each chargeable emplanement included in the service, to a
(4) The portion of paragraph 12(2)(b) of the Act before
(b) $8.42 for each chargeable emplanement by an individual on an aircraft
used to transport the individual to a destination outside Canada but
within the continental zone, to a maximum of $16.84, if
(5) Subsections (1) to (4) apply in respect of any air transportation
service that includes a chargeable emplanement on or after July 1, 2006
and for which any consideration is paid or becomes payable on or
after that day.
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Notice of Ways and Means Motion to amend

the Excise Tax Act, the Excise Act, 2001,
the Excise Act and the Air Travellers Security
Charge Act relating to other sales tax measures
That it is expedient to amend the Excise Tax Act, the Excise Act, 2001,
the Excise Act and the Air Travellers Security Charge Act to provide
among other things:
Excise Tax on Jewellery

(1) That sections 5, 5.1 and 5.2 of Schedule I to the Excise Tax Act be
repealed effective May 2, 2006.
Excise Duties for Vintners

and Small Brewers
(2) That the provisions of the Excise Act, 2001 and the Excise Act relating
to excise duties on wine and beer be modified for vintners and small brewers
in accordance with the proposals described in the budget documents tabled
by the Minister of Finance in the House of Commons on May 2, 2006.
Administrative Provisions
(Standardized Accounting)
(3) That the provisions of the Excise Tax Act, the Excise Act, 2001 and the
Air Travellers Security Charge Act relating to accounting, interest, penalties
and administration and enforcement be modified in accordance with the
harmonization proposals described in the budget documents tabled by the
Minister of Finance in the House of Commons on May 2, 2006.
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Annex 3

to Amend the Income Tax Act
That it is expedient to amend the Income Tax Act to provide among
other things:
Personal Income Tax Rates

(1) That,
(a) for the 2005 taxation year, the calculation of an individual’s tax
payable under Part I of the Act be modified to set the tax rate applicable
to the portion of the individual’s taxable income that is equal to or less
than $35,595 at 15% and that, as a result, the “appropriate percentage”
used in computing the individual’s non-refundable personal tax credits
and alternative minimum tax reflect this rate for that taxation year;
(b) for the 2006 taxation year, the calculation of an individual’s tax
payable under Part I of the Act be modified to set the tax rate applicable
to the portion of the individual’s taxable income that is equal to or less
than $36,378 at 15.25%, and that, as a result, the “appropriate
percentage” used in computing the individual’s non-refundable personal
tax credits and alternative minimum tax reflect this rate for that taxation
year; and
(c) for the 2007 and subsequent taxation years, the calculation of
an individual’s tax payable under Part I of the Act be modified to set
the tax rate applicable to the portion of the individual’s taxable income
that is equal to or less than $36,378 (as indexed for the 2007 and
subsequent taxation years) at 15.5%, and that, as a result, the “appropriate
percentage” used in computing the individual’s non-refundable
personal tax credits and alternative minimum tax reflect this rate for
those taxation years.
Basic Personal Amounts

(2) That,
(a) for the 2005 taxation year, the basic personal amount be $8,648;
(b) for the 2006 taxation year, the basic personal amount be $8,839,
except that, for the purpose of determining the basic personal amount
for the 2007 taxation year, this amount be read as $8,639 for the 2006
taxation year;
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(c) for the 2007 taxation year, the basic personal amount be determined
by adding $100 to the amount otherwise determined (having regard to
subparagraph (b)) to be the basic personal amount for the 2007 taxation
year;
(d) for the 2008 taxation year, the basic personal amount be determined
by adding $200 to the amount otherwise determined (having regard to
subparagraph (c)) to be the basic personal amount for the 2008 taxation
year;
(e) for the 2009 taxation year, the basic personal amount be determined
by adding the greater of $600 and the amount necessary to bring the
basic personal amount to $10,000 to the amount otherwise determined
(having regard to subparagraph (d)) to be the basic personal amount for
the 2009 taxation year; and
(f) for the 2010 and subsequent taxation years, the basic personal amount
be determined by applying indexation to the amount otherwise
determined (having regard to subparagraph (e)) to be the basic personal
amount for the immediately preceding taxation year.
(3) That,
(a) for the 2005 taxation year, each of the spouse or common-law
partner amount and the equivalent amount for a wholly dependent
relative be $7,344;
(b) for the 2006 taxation year, each of the spouse or common-law partner
amount and the equivalent amount for a wholly dependent relative be
$7,505, except that for the purpose of determining each of those amounts
for the 2007 taxation year, this amount be read as $7,335 for the 2006
taxation year;
(c) for the 2007 taxation year, each of the spouse or common-law partner
determined by adding $85 to the amounts otherwise determined (having
regard to subparagraph (b)) for each of those amounts for the 2007
taxation year;
(d) for the 2008 taxation year, each of the spouse or common-law partner
determined by adding $170 to the amounts otherwise determined
(having regard to subparagraph (c)) for each of those amounts for the
2008 taxation year;
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(e) for the 2009 taxation year, each of the spouse or common-law partner
determined by adding the greater of $510 and the amount required to
bring each of those amounts to $8,500 to the amounts otherwise
determined (having regard to subparagraph (d)) for each of those
amounts for the 2009 taxation year; and
(f) for the 2010 and subsequent taxation years, each of the spouse or
common-law partner amount and the equivalent amount for a wholly
dependent relative be determined by applying indexation to the amount
otherwise determined (having regard to subparagraph (e)) to be each of
those amounts for the immediately preceding taxation year.
(4) That,
(a) for the 2005 taxation year, the net income threshold for each of the
spouse or common-law partner amount and the equivalent amount for a
wholly dependent relative be $734;
(b) for the 2006 taxation year, the net income threshold for each of the
wholly dependent relative be $751, except that for the purpose of
determining each of those amounts for 2007, the net income threshold
for those amounts be read as $734 for the 2006 taxation year;
(c) for the 2007 taxation year, the net income threshold for each of the
wholly dependent relative be determined by adding $8.50 to the amount
otherwise determined (having regard to subparagraph (b)) to be the net
income threshold for those amounts for the 2007 taxation year;
(d) for the 2008 taxation year, the net income threshold for each of the
wholly dependent relative be determined by adding $17 to the amount
otherwise determined (having regard to subparagraph (c)) to be the net
income threshold for those amounts for the 2008 taxation year; and
(e) for the 2009 taxation year, the net income threshold for each of the
wholly dependent relative be determined by adding the greater of $51
and the amount required to bring that threshold to $850, to the amount
otherwise determined (having regard to subparagraph (d)) to be the net
income threshold for those amounts the 2009 taxation year; and
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(f) for the 2010 and subsequent taxation years, the net income threshold
for each of the spouse or common-law partner amount and the equivalent
amount for a wholly dependent relative be determined by applying
indexation to the amount otherwise determined (having regard to
subparagraph (e)) to be the net income threshold for those amounts for
the immediately preceding taxation year.
Canada Employment Credit

(5) That,
(a) for the 2006 taxation year, an individual be entitled to deduct, in
computing tax payable under Part I of the Act for the year, an amount
equal to the product obtained when the lesser of the individual’s
employment income for the taxation year and $250 is multiplied by the
appropriate percentage for the taxation year; and
(b) for the 2007 and subsequent taxation years, an individual be entitled
to deduct, in computing tax payable under Part I of the Act for the year,
an amount equal to the product obtained when the lesser of the
individual’s employment income for the taxation year and $1000 (indexed
for taxation years after 2007) is multiplied by the appropriate percentage
for the taxation year.
Universal Child Care Benefit

(6) That the Act be modified consequential on the introduction of the
Universal Child Care Benefit in accordance with proposals described in the
budget documents tabled by the Minister of Finance in the House of
Commons on May 2, 2006.
Capital Gains of Fishers

(7) That, for a disposition on or after May 2, 2006 by an individual
(including, in certain circumstances, a personal trust) of a fishing property,
a share of the capital stock of a family fishing corporation, an interest in
a family fishing partnership or a qualified fishing property, the provisions
of the Act relating to eligible capital property gains, capital gains reserves,
replacement property rollovers, intergenerational rollovers from an
individual to a child of the individual, trust rollovers from a spousal or
common-law partner trust of an individual to a child of the individual and
the lifetime capital gains exemption be modified to provide rules applicable
in respect of such a disposition that are similar to the rules that apply in
respect of dispositions by individuals of a farm property, a share of the
capital stock of a family farm corporation, an interest in a family farm
partnership or a qualified farm property, respectively, of the individual,
and that, for this purpose
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(a) “fishing property” of an individual be determined, for the purposes of

rules dealing with the capital gains reserves, replacement property
rollovers, intergenerational rollovers from an individual to a child of the
individual and trust rollovers from a spousal or common-law partner trust
of an individual to a child of the individual, by reference to land,
depreciable property and eligible capital property that is used principally
in a fishing business carried on in Canada in which the individual, or the
individual’s spouse or common-law partner, parent, child or grandchild,
was actively engaged on a regular and continuous basis;
(b) “share of the capital stock of a family fishing corporation” and
“interest in a family fishing partnership” and any related terms be defined
in respect of an individual, for the purposes of rules dealing with
intergenerational rollovers of such property from the individual to a child
of the individual and trust rollovers from a spousal or common-law
partner trust of an individual to a child of the individual, in a manner
similar to the manner in which the existing definitions “share of the
capital stock of family farm corporation” and “interest in a family farm
partnership” and the related terms are defined in respect of an individual
for those purposes;
(c) “qualified fishing property” be defined, for the purposes of the
lifetime capital gains exemption, in respect of an individual to include real
property (or for Civil Law, immoveables), fishing vessels and eligible
capital property used principally in a fishing business carried on in Canada
in which the individual, or the individual’s spouse or common-law
partner, parent, child or grandchild, was actively engaged on a regular and
continuous basis; and
(d) “share of the capital stock of a family fishing corporation” and
“interest in a family fishing partnership” and any related terms be defined,
for the purposes of the lifetime capital gains exemption, in respect of an
individual in a manner similar to the manner in which the existing
definitions “share of the capital stock of family farm corporation” and
“interest in a family farm partnership” and the related terms are defined,
for those purposes.
Mineral Exploration Tax Credit

(8) That, for flow-through share agreements made on or after
May 2, 2006 and on or before March 31, 2007, the definition "flow-
through mining expenditure" in subsection 127(9) of the Act include
expenses otherwise described in that definition that are incurred, or deemed
by subsection 66(12.66) of the Act to have been incurred, before 2008.
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Tradespeople’s Tool Expenses

(9) That, for eligible tools acquired on or after May 2, 2006,
(a) there may be deducted, in computing the income of an individual
from employment as a tradesperson in a taxation year an amount not
exceeding the lesser of
(i) $500, and
(ii) the amount, if any, determined by the formula
A – $1,000 (indexed after 2007)
where
A is the lesser of
(A) the total cost to the individual to acquire in the year one
or more tools that is an eligible tool, and
(B) the amount otherwise determined to be individual’s income
from employment as a tradesperson in the year; and
(b) for the purposes of this paragraph and paragraph (10), an “eligible
tool” be a tool (including ancillary equipment) that
(i) was not used for any purpose whatsoever before it is acquired by
the individual,
(ii) is certified by the individual’s employer in prescribed form to be
required as a condition of, and for use in, the individual’s employment
as a tradesperson in the year, and
(iii) is, unless the device or equipment can be used only for the
purpose of measuring, locating or calculating, not an electronic
communication device or electronic data processing equipment.
(10) That, where the cost of a property is included in computing an
individual’s deduction for eligible tools acquired in a taxation year,
(a) for all other purposes of the Act, the individual’s cost of all such
property acquired in the taxation year be reduced pro rata by the amount
of the individual’s deduction in respect of such property for the year; and
(b) if the property is disposed of by the individual (or by a person with
whom the individual does not deal at arm’s length or by a corporation or
partnership that acquired the property from any such person in a
transaction to which subsection 85(1) or 97(2) of the Act applied), the
amount, if any, by which the proceeds of disposition of the property
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Annex 3
exceed the cost of the property, as adjusted by subparagraph (a), be

included in computing the income of the individual or of the person,
corporation or partnership, as the case may be, for the taxation year in
which the disposition occurs.
(11) That the Act be amended to replace, for the 2007 and subsequent
taxation years, the reference to “$1,000” in the description of B in
subparagraph 8(1)(r)(ii) of the Act with a reference to “the total of $500
and the amount on which the Canada Employment Credit for the taxation
year is calculated”.
Textbook Tax Credit

(12) That, for the 2006 and subsequent taxation years, an individual
who is entitled to the education tax credit for a taxation year be entitled
to claim a textbook tax credit for the year equal to the product obtained
when the appropriate percentage for the year is multiplied by $65 for
each month in the year in which the individual was entitled to claim the
education tax credit as a full-time student, or $20 for each month in the
year in which the individual was entitled to claim the education tax credit
as a part-time student.
Scholarship and Bursary Income

(13) That, for the 2006 and subsequent taxation years, the total of all
amounts received in the year by an individual on account of scholarships,
fellowships, and bursaries be excluded from income, if these amounts are
received by the individual in connection with the individual’s enrolment
at a designated educational institution in a program in respect of which the
individual may claim the education tax credit.
Pension Income Amount

(14) That, for the 2006 and subsequent taxation years, the amount of
eligible pension income on which the pension tax credit is calculated be
increased to $2,000.
Child Disability Benefit

(15) That,
(a) for benefits paid after June 2006, the provisions of the Act relating
to benefits payable under the Canada Child Tax Benefit – Child Disability
Benefit be modified to increase the Child Disability Benefit to $2,300 in
respect of each child who is eligible for the disability tax credit; and
307
(b) for benefits paid after June 2006, the threshold for the phase-out of
this benefit be modified in accordance with proposals described in the
budget documents tabled by the Minister of Finance in the House of
Commons on May 2, 2006.
Refundable Medical Expense Supplement

(16) That,
(a) for the 2006 and subsequent taxation years, the maximum
refundable medical expense supplement described in subsection
122.51(2) of the Act be increased to $1,000; and
(b) for the 2005 and subsequent taxation years, the income threshold
at which the refundable medical expense supplement described in
subsection 122.51(2) of the Act begins to be phased-out be set at
$21,663 (indexed).
Tax Credit for Public Transit Passes

(17) That, for the 2006 and subsequent taxation years, an individual
be entitled to deduct, in computing tax payable under Part I of the Act
for the year, an amount equal to the product obtained when the appropriate
percentage for the year is multiplied by the total of all amounts paid in the
year in respect of eligible public transit passes (in respect of transit on or
after July 1, 2006) for the use of the individual, the individual’s spouse or
common-law partner, or a child of the individual who has not before the end
of the taxation year attained the age of 19 years (to the extent that the
amounts are not included in computing this tax credit by any other
individual for the taxation year) and, for this purpose, an eligible public
transit pass be a public transit pass that is valid for a period of at least
one month of public transit.
Donations of Publicly-Listed Securities and

Ecologically Sensitive Land
(18) That, for gifts made on or after May 2, 2006,
(a) a taxpayer’s taxable capital gain not include any portion of the
capital gain from a gift to which paragraph 38(a.1) or (a.2) of the Act
applies; and
(b) in determining the amount of the deduction permitted in
paragraph 110(1)(d.01) of the Act in respect of an amount included in
income from employment in respect of a donated security, the
reference in that paragraph to “1/4” be replaced with a reference
to “1/2”.
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Annex 3
Apprenticeship Grant
(19) That the amount paid to an apprentice under the Apprenticeship
Grant described in the budget documents tabled by the Minister of Finance
in the House of Commons on May 2, 2006 be included in computing the
apprentice’s income for the taxation year in which it is received.
Dividend Tax Credit

(20) That
(a) the federal dividend gross-up be increased to 45 per cent and the
dividend tax credit be adjusted to 11/18ths of the gross-up in respect
of taxable dividends (“eligible dividends”) paid after 2005 by
(i) public corporations resident in Canada (and any other resident
corporations that are not Canadian-controlled private corporations
(CCPCs) and are subject to the general corporate tax rate), and
(ii) CCPCs resident in Canada to the extent that their income
(other than investment income) is subject to tax at the general
corporate tax rate;
(b) special rules apply to ensure that eligible dividends are measured
correctly where corporations resident in Canada become or cease to
be subject to the small business tax rate or undergo reorganizations
involving other corporations resident in Canada; and
(c) for these purposes,
(i) a corporation resident in Canada that would generally otherwise
not be able to pay an eligible dividend, but that has received an
eligible dividend, be permitted to pay an eligible dividend to the
extent of the eligible dividend it has received, and
(ii) a corporation that would generally otherwise be able to pay an
eligible dividend, but that has received a dividend (an “ineligible
dividend”), from a corporation resident in Canada, that is not an
eligible dividend, be required first to pay an ineligible dividend to
the extent of the ineligible dividend it has received.
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General Corporate Income Tax Rate

(21) That, for taxation years that end after 2007, a deduction be provided
from the tax otherwise payable under Part I of the Act by a corporation
(other than a corporation that is throughout the year an investment
corporation, a mortgage investment corporation or a mutual fund
corporation), equal to the designated percentage (0.5 per cent for 2008,
1 per cent for 2009, and 1.5 per cent after 2009, with proration for taxation
years that include days in more than one calendar year) of the amount by
which the corporation’s taxable income for the year that is subject to the rate
of corporate income tax applicable under section 123 of the Act (or, if the
corporation is non-resident, its taxable income earned in Canada for the
year) exceeds the total of
(a) if the corporation is throughout the year a Canadian-controlled private
corporation, the total of
(i) the least of the amounts determined under paragraphs 125(1)(a)
to (c) of the Act in respect of the corporation’s small business
deduction for the year, and
(ii) the corporation’s aggregate investment income determined under
subsection 129(4) of the Act for the year; and
(b) if the corporation is a credit union, the amount in respect of which the
corporation applied the deduction from tax provided by subsection
137(3) of the Act.
(22) That, for taxation years that begin on or after May 2, 2006 the
deduction under section 123.4(2) of the Act not be provided in respect of
any taxable income for the year that is not subject to the rate of corporate
income tax applicable under section 123 of the Act.
Corporate Surtax
(23) That the surtax imposed on corporations by section 123.2 of the Act
be eliminated for taxation years that end after December 31, 2007, with
proration for taxation years that include that date.
Small Business Deduction Limit

(24) That the rules in subsections 125(2) and (3) of the Act determining
the business limit of a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC) be
modified for taxation years that end after 2006 such that
(a) subject to subparagraph (b), the business limit of a CCPC for a
taxation year be the total of
310
Annex 3
(i) that proportion of $300,000 that the number of days in the

taxation year that are in 2006 is of the number of days in the taxation
year, and
(ii) that proportion of $400,000 that the number of days in the
taxation year that are after 2006 is of the number of days in the
taxation year; and
(b) for the purpose of subsection 125(3) of the Act, associated CCPCs
allocate a business limit for taxation years beginning after 2006 by
allocating a total business limit of $400,000.
(25) That the references in the description of M in the definition
“specified partnership income” in subsection 125(7) of the Act to $300,000
and $822 be replaced for fiscal periods of a partnership that end after 2006
with references to $400,000 and $1,096.
(26) That, for taxation years that end after 2006, in applying subsection
127(10.2) of the Act,
(a) the reference to “$5,000,000” in the formula in subsection 127(10.2)
concerning a corporation’s expenditure limit for a particular taxation year
be replaced with a reference to “$6,000,000”; and
(b) the reference to “$300,000” in the description of A in that formula
be replaced with a reference to “$400,000”.
Small Business Rate

(27) That the small business deduction under subsection 125(1) of the
Act be adjusted for taxation years that end after 2007 such that the rate of
federal income tax applied to income eligible for that deduction be
(a) that proportion of 12% that the number of days in the taxation year
that are in 2007 is of the number of days in the taxation year;
(b) that proportion of 11.5% that the number of days in the taxation year
that are in 2008 is of the number of days in the taxation year; and
(c) that proportion of 11% that the number of days in the taxation year
that are after 2008 is of the number of days in the taxation year.
311
Carry-Forward Periods for Business Losses

And Investment Tax Credits
(28) That the 10 taxation year carry-forward period, in respect of non-
capital losses, farm losses, restricted farm losses, losses applied under Part IV
of the Act, and Canadian life investment losses under Part XII.3 of the Act
incurred, and investment tax credits earned, in taxation years that end after
2005, be extended to 20 taxation years.
Federal Capital Tax

(29) That, for the 2006 and subsequent taxation years, a corporation’s
specified percentage for the purpose of subsection 181.1(1) of the Act be
(other than for the purposes of subsection 125(5.1) of the Act and the
definition “unused surtax credit” in subsection 181.1(6) of the Act) that
proportion of 0.175% that the number of days in the taxation year that are
in 2005 is of the number of days in the taxation year.
(30) That, for the 2006 and subsequent taxation years, a corporation
(other than a corporation described in subsection 181.1(3) of the Act)
be treated as a large corporation for the purpose of subsection 225.1(8)
of the Act if the total taxable capital employed in Canada at the end of
the taxation year of the corporation (and of any related corporations)
exceeds $10 million.
(31) That, for the 2006 and subsequent taxation years, a corporation that
is a large corporation for the purpose of subsection 225.1(8) of the Act that
fails to file a return described in section 235 of the Act for the taxation year
be liable to pay a penalty under section 235 of the Act, for each complete
month, not exceeding 40 months, during which the return is outstanding,
equal to the total of
(a) 0.0005% of the corporation’s taxable capital employed in Canada for
the taxation year; and
(b) 0.25% of the tax that would be payable by the corporation for the
taxation year under Part VI if the Act were read without reference to its
subsection 190.1(3).
312
Annex 3
Minimum Tax on Financial Institutions

(32) That, for taxation years that end on or after July 1, 2006, the
minimum tax on financial institutions in Part VI of the Act be modified
(other than for the purpose of calculating a financial institution’s “unused
Part I tax credit” for carry-back to taxation years that end before
July 1, 2006) by creating a single rate of tax of 1.25% and a single capital
deduction of $1 billion, with proration for taxation years that begin before
and include that date.
Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit

(33) That, for the 2006 and subsequent taxation years, a taxpayer who
carries on a business in a taxation year be allowed to add in computing
their investment tax credit at the end of the taxation year an amount in
respect of each eligible apprentice employed in the business by the taxpayer
in the taxation year and after May 2, 2006 equal to the lesser of $2,000
and 10% of eligible salary and wages payable by the taxpayer in respect
of the employment, and that,
(a) subject to subparagraph (b), eligible salary and wages in respect of
the employment of an eligible apprentice in a taxation year be the total
of all amounts each of which is the amount of salary and wages payable
by the taxpayer to the eligible apprentice in respect of the eligible
apprentice’s employment in Canada in the taxation year and during the
first 24 months of the apprenticeship, other than remuneration based on
profits, bonuses, an amount described in section 6 or 7 of the Act, and
amounts deemed to be incurred by subsection 78(4) of the Act;
(b) if an eligible apprentice is employed in a particular calendar year by
the taxpayer and any other person who is related to the taxpayer
(including a partnership that has a member that is related to the taxpayer),
the eligible salary and wages incurred by the taxpayer in respect of that
eligible apprentice be nil for the taxation year of the taxpayer that includes
the end of that calendar year, unless the taxpayer is designated by all of
those related persons to be the eligible employer of the eligible apprentice
for the purpose of this investment tax credit;
(c) an eligible apprentice be an individual who is working in a prescribed
trade in the first two years of the individual’s provincially registered
apprenticeship contract; and
(d) a prescribed trade be a trade that is one of the 45 Red Seal Trades
or a trade prescribed to be a trade that is in Canada’s strategic
economic interest.
313
Harmonization of Administrative Provisions

(Standardized Accounting)
(34) That the provisions of the Act relating to accounting, interest,
penalties and administration and enforcement be modified in accordance
with the harmonization proposals described in the budget documents tabled
by the Minister of Finance in the House of Commons on May 2, 2006.
Agricultural Cooperatives
(35) That, in accordance with proposals described in a Notice of Ways
and Means Motion tabled in the House of Commons on November 17,
2005, a tax deferral be introduced in respect of certain dividends paid after
2005 in the form of eligible shares by an agricultural cooperative
corporation.
Disability Tax Credit

(36) That, for the 2005 and subsequent taxation years, the eligibility
criteria for the Disability Tax Credit be modified in accordance with
proposals described in a Notice of Ways and Means Motion tabled in the
House of Commons on November 17, 2005.
Disability Supports Deduction

(37) That, for the 2005 and subsequent taxation years, the list of expenses
eligible for the disability supports deduction be expanded in accordance with
Medical Expense Tax Credit

(38) That, for the 2005 and subsequent taxation years, the list of expenses
eligible for the medical expense tax credit be expanded in accordance with
314
Annex 3
Medical Expense Tax Credit - Caregiver

(40) That, for the 2005 and subsequent taxation years, the $5,000
maximum amount referred to in subsection 118.2(1) of the Act that an
individual is permitted to claim in respect of certain dependants in
calculating the medical expense tax credit be increased to $10,000.
Adoption Expense Tax Credit

(41) That, for the 2005 and subsequent taxation years, an adoption
expense tax credit be introduced in accordance with proposals described in a
Notice of Ways and Means Motion tabled in the House of Commons on
November 17, 2005.
315

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Supplementary Information and

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada (2006)

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Cat. No.: F1-23/2006-3E

2 Economic Developments and Prospects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

3 Building a Better Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Families and Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

4 Fiscal Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Introduction and Overview

Budget 2006—Focusing on Priorities

As the measures outlined in this plan make clear, this budget

Budget 2006 also provides a framework for discussion to restore

By addressing clear priorities in accountability, opportunity,

The Budget Plan 2006

Economic Developments and Prospects

Introduction and Overview

Building a Better Canada

Budget 2006 announces a more transparent framework for budget

The Budget Plan 2006

Introduction and Overview

 To create an environment for jobs and growth, Budget 2006

The Budget Plan 2006

– Expanded eligibility for Canada Student Loans through a

Introduction and Overview

Families and Communities

Canada’s Universal Child Care Plan

Other Family Measures

The Budget Plan 2006

Budget 2006 provides almost $3 billion over two years to help

Introduction and Overview

The Budget Plan 2006

Cracking Down on Crime

Securing Safe and Open Borders

Introduction and Overview

Preparing for Emergencies

Strengthening Canada’s Role in the World

Enhancing Security in the Financial System

The Budget Plan 2006

Restoring Fiscal Balance in Canada

Introduction and Overview

The Budget Plan 2006

Budgetary revenues 211.9 220.9 227.1 235.8

Planned debt reduction 1.5 8.0 3.0 3.0

Remaining surplus 0.6 1.4

Federal debt 494.4 486.4 483.4 480.4

Introduction and Overview

Families and communities

Equalization and Territorial

Expenditure reallocations (1,200) (2,420) (3,620)

Total net budget 2006 initiatives 5,720 14,290 15,049 35,058

The Budget Plan 2006

Economic Developments and Prospects

The Canadian economy recorded solid growth in 2005, largely supported

Looking ahead, forecasters expect slightly stronger growth in 2006 than

The Budget Plan 2006

In China, economic activity remains very strong thanks to high levels

Economic Developments and Prospects

To create an environment for jobs and growth, Budget 2006